Final answer:
Earthquakes are caused by the movement of tectonic plates and the release of stored energy. During an earthquake, seismic waves travel through the Earth. After an earthquake, rocks may continue to move and aftershocks may occur.
Step-by-step explanation:
Earthquakes are caused by the movement of tectonic plates beneath the Earth's surface. When these plates grind against each other, stress builds up along the faults. This stress causes rocks to deform, gradually storing energy. Eventually, the energy exceeds the strength of the rocks, leading to a sudden release of energy, which is known as the earthquake.
During an earthquake, the stored energy is released in the form of seismic waves, which travel through the Earth. There are three main types of seismic waves: primary waves (P-waves), secondary waves (S-waves), and surface waves. P-waves are the fastest and can travel through solids, liquids, and gases. S-waves are slower and can only travel through solids. Surface waves are the slowest and cause most of the damage on the Earth's surface.
After an earthquake, the rocks around the fault may continue to move. This movement is called afterslip. Additionally, smaller earthquakes known as aftershocks may occur as the Earth adjusts to the new stress distribution caused by the main earthquake. The process of elastic rebound takes place as the rocks on both sides of the fault return to their original shape, releasing the stored energy and restoring stability.
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