
Quake
A quake, or earthquake, is the shaking of Earth's surface caused by the sudden release of energy along faults—fractures in the Earth's crust. This energy release creates seismic waves that travel through the ground, causing vibrations. Earthquakes often occur due to tectonic plate movements, like sliding past each other or colliding, which build stress and eventually cause rocks to break and slip. The severity depends on the amount of energy released and the location's geology. Quakes can cause damage to buildings, landslides, and tsunamis, especially if they happen near populated areas.