An earthquake is a natural phenomenon that occurs when the Earth's tectonic plates shift and move against each other. The Earth's crust is made up of a series of plates that float on top of a layer of molten rock called the mantle. These plates are constantly moving, driven by the intense heat and pressure within the Earth's core.

When two plates meet, they can either move away from each other, slide past each other, or collide. When two plates collide, one plate is forced down into the mantle, a process called subduction. As the plate sinks into the mantle, it creates friction and pressure, which can cause the surrounding rocks to buckle and break, resulting in an earthquake.

The energy released by an earthquake is measured on a scale called the Richter scale, which ranges from 1 to 10. The scale measures the amplitude of the seismic waves generated by the earthquake. The higher the number on the Richter scale, the more energy released by the earthquake and the greater the potential for damage.

Earthquakes can have a variety of effects, depending on their magnitude and location. They can cause shaking, ground rupture, landslides, tsunamis, and other types of damage. Seismologists study earthquakes to better understand their causes and effects, and to develop methods for predicting and mitigating their impact.
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