Question

which of the following events would most likely produce an earthquake?
a. during flooding, water exerts pressure on the land, causing wide cracks in the ground.
b. at transform plate boundaries, tectonic plates rub against each other with great force.
c. during thunderstorms, lightning generates shocks that pass through the earth’s crust.
d. along mountain slopes, heavy rocks fall, creating shocks that travel through the land.

Explanation:

Earthquakes are primarily caused by the sudden release of energy from tectonic plate movements. At transform plate boundaries, tectonic plates slide past each other horizontally; friction between them builds up stress until it is abruptly released, generating seismic waves (earthquakes). Other options (flooding pressure, lightning shocks, falling rocks) do not produce the large-scale, crustal-level energy release typical of earthquakes.

Answer:

B. At transform plate boundaries, tectonic plates rub against each other with great force.