Multiple choice

Most of the devastating earthquakes are usually caused by

  1. eustatic movement

  2. isostatic adjustment

  3. collision of earth's plates

  4. volcanic eruption
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Most devastating earthquakes are caused by the collision of tectonic plates. When plates collide, enormous stress builds up and is suddenly released as seismic energy. This process at convergent plate boundaries has produced some of the largest earthquakes in history, including the 2004 Sumatra earthquake. Eustatic movement and isostatic adjustment are gradual processes, while volcanic eruptions cause local tremors but rarely produce the most devastating quakes.

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