When an earthquake occurs, the primary process happening below Earth’s surface is related to tectonic plate movement. This can include two main scenarios:
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Plates are colliding with each other. - This describes convergent boundaries where tectonic plates push against one another, leading to stress accumulation and eventual release in the form of an earthquake.
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Plates are slipping sideways relative to each other. - This describes transform boundaries where tectonic plates slide past one another, which also causes earthquakes when the stress is released.
Both of these processes are directly related to tectonic plate interactions, which are the primary cause of earthquakes.
While conduction, convection, and magma movement are important processes within the Earth, they are not the direct causes of earthquakes. So, the most relevant responses regarding the occurrence of earthquakes are:
- Plates are colliding with each other.
- Plates are slipping sideways relative to each other.
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