Final answer:
The factor that prevents rocks from slipping past each other is D. roughness, which creates friction at the contact surfaces of tectonic plates.
Step-by-step explanation:
The factor that keeps rocks from slipping past each other is D. roughness. This physical characteristic of rocks' surfaces creates friction, preventing easy movement when they are pressed against each other. When rocks have rough surfaces, the irregularities in their textures and shapes create friction, preventing them from sliding easily. For example, if you try to stack a pile of rocks with smooth surfaces, they are more likely to slip and fall compared to rocks with rough surfaces, which provide more gripping friction.
For example, if you try to stack a pile of rocks with smooth surfaces, they are more likely to slip and fall compared to rocks with rough surfaces, which provide more gripping friction. When considering geology and the movement of tectonic plates, the surfaces of rocks at plate boundaries can be very uneven, with many asperities or rough spots. These irregularities can lock the rocks together, requiring significant amounts of energy to be overcome before the rocks can slip and move, which can happen during an earthquake.