What phenomenon occurs due to the movement of rock beneath Earth's surface?

An earthquake is a phenomenon that occurs as a result of the movement of rocks beneath the Earth's surface. These movements happen along faults, which are fractures in the Earth's crust where blocks of rock have moved. When stress builds up in the rocks due to tectonic forces, eventually the strain exceeds the strength of the rocks, leading to a sudden release of energy. This release generates seismic waves, which we perceive as shaking or vibrations on the surface.

The occurrence of an earthquake is directly associated with this abrupt movement in the Earth's crust, and it can happen at various depths, depending on whether the stress is released at shallow or deep levels. The magnitude and intensity of the earthquake can vary significantly based on factors such as the amount of energy released and the distance from the epicenter.

In contrast, while faults are related to earthquakes, they are not the phenomenon themselves but rather the structural features where earthquakes can occur. Landslides are the movement of rock and soil down a slope, often triggered by factors such as heavy rainfall or human activity, and not directly by tectonic forces. Tsunamis are large ocean waves usually caused by underwater earthquakes that displace water. Each of these other phenomena is connected to geological processes, but the specific event characterized by