What causes earthquakes and where do they typically occur?

Earthquakes are caused by the movement of tectonic plates, which are massive slabs of rock that make up the Earth's surface. When two plates meet, they can either collide, slide past each other, or move away from each other. The movement of these plates can cause stress to build up in the Earth's crust, which can then be released in the form of an earthquake.

Earthquakes can occur anywhere in the world, but they are most common in areas where tectonic plates meet or where there are active volcanoes. The Pacific Ring of Fire, for example, is an area where many earthquakes occur because it is a region where several tectonic plates meet.

Earthquakes can range in size from small tremors to massive quakes that cause widespread damage and loss of life. Scientists use a tool called a seismometer to measure the strength of earthquakes and to determine their epicenter, which is the point on the Earth's surface directly above the area where the earthquake originated.

In addition to being caused by tectonic activity, earthquakes can also be caused by human activity such as drilling or mining. These earthquakes are known as induced earthquakes and can occur in areas that are not normally prone to seismic activity.