Which best describes an earthquake?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

An earthquake is the sharp release of energy in Earth's crust that creates seismic waves. This release of energy is caused by the movement of tectonic plates, and it can result in shaking, ground rupture, landslides, and other types of damage.

Option A refers to the hypocenter or focus, which is the point within Earth where seismic waves originate. Option C describes the amount of ground displacement along a fault, which can be a result of an earthquake but isn't a definition of an earthquake itself. Option D describes the stress on rocks along plate boundaries, which can lead to earthquakes but again isn't a definition of an earthquake itself.

Which Best Describes an Earthquake