Where two tectonic plates move past one another, rock near the plate boundary can stretch or compress elastically for decades, and then fracture suddenly and create an earthquake.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This is true, as elastic strain builds up along the plate boundary where two plates are moving past each other until the stress is too great and the rock finally ruptures in a sudden release of energy, causing an earthquake.

Where Two Tectonic Plates Move Past One Another, Rock near the Plate