University of Illinois Extension

Bad Vibrations

What makes the earth shake and rumble?

Earthquakes occur when the earth's crust moves suddenly. Sometimes when two pieces
( plates ) of earth crust (rock) move past each other, they stick. Energy builds up in this area, until it's strong enough to make the rock move. Like ripples from throwing a pebble in a pond, the energy released moves out in all directions, making the earth's surface move.

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