What Causes Earthquakes?

Earthquakes are caused by the sudden release of energy in Earth's crust, creating seismic waves. Our planet's outer shell consists of several tectonic plates that constantly move, albeit very slowly. When these plates grind against each other, get stuck, and then suddenly slip, they release enormous amounts of stored energy. The point beneath the surface where this occurs is called the hypocenter, while the point directly above it on the surface is the epicenter. The magnitude of an earthquake is measured on the Richter scale or the more modern Moment Magnitude Scale. Most earthquakes occur along fault lines where tectonic plates meet. The infamous 'Ring of Fire' around the Pacific Ocean is responsible for about 90% of the world's earthquakes. While we can't predict exactly when earthquakes will occur, scientists can identify high-risk areas and monitor seismic activity.