Final answer:
Earthquakes are most common on the west coast of the United States and are caused by the movement of Earth's tectonic plates, particularly along plate boundaries such as the San Andreas Fault. These seismic events can cause ground shaking, trigger tsunamis, and result in significant damage and loss of life.
Step-by-step explanation:
Complete the following sentence: Earthquakes can happen almost anywhere, but in the United States, they are most common on the west coast. The correct answer is c) Earthquakes.
How Earthquakes Happen
Earthquakes occur as a result of the movements of the Earth's tectonic plates. These plates are constantly shifting, and when they grind against each other or overlap, they can cause the ground to shake. This phenomenon is especially common along plate boundaries. For instance, the boundary between the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate is known as the San Andreas Fault in California, which is notorious for its seismic activity.
When an earthquake happens underwater, it can trigger tsunamis, resulting in widespread coastal damage. Some earthquakes can have global consequences, drastically affecting populations and environments, such as the devastating 2011 earthquake off the coast of Japan that led to a tsunami and nuclear disaster.
Understanding and predicting earthquakes remain crucial for reducing their impact, with efforts from geologists and engineers to develop advanced technologies for disaster prevention and response.