Which statement correctly describes why earthquakes happen?(1 point)

Question

Earth’s crust suddenly slips along a fault.
Earth’s crust switches places in a periodic manner.
Earth’s crust undergoes a cycle from a solid material to magma.
Earth’s crust near magma melts, and the ground collapses.

Answer 1

The statement that correctly describes why earthquakes happen is:

Earth’s crust suddenly slips along a fault.

This is the primary cause of most earthquakes, as stress builds up in the Earth's crust until it is released when rocks break or slip past each other along faults.