A transient release of stored mechanical energy in the solid planet, often associated with fault motion. Plate tectonics is a major terrestrial driver, but earthquakes can also occur without an active global plate system.
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An earthquake is the shaking of the surface of the Earth resulting from a sudden release of energy in the Earth's lithosphere that creates seismic waves. This release of energy can occur due to various geological processes, including: 1. **Tectonic Plate Movements**: The Earth's crust is made up of several large and small tectonic plates that float on the semi-fluid mantle beneath.