Geocentric Science

An earthquake is the shaking or trembling of the Earth’s surface. Most earthquakes are the result of sudden movement along a fault (planes of weakness in the crust). Earthquakes can also be caused by volcanic eruptions, as well as human activity (such as explosions).

Along plate boundaries and other locations where there is movement of the Earth’s crust, the rock is under immense stress. The rock will pull and stretch until it can no longer be stressed. At this point, the rock will break (or snap). This causes an earthquake. The pulling of rock and the buildup of stress within the rock is known as the Elastic Rebound Theory, and once the rock is broken, the rock’s elastic limit was reached. Once the elastic limit has been reached, the rock will snap back or rebound creating aftershocks. Earthquakes relieve the built-up stress within the rock.

The point where the rock breaks is known as the focus, and the epicenter is the point on the Earth’s surface directly above the focus. Seismic waves are first felt at the epicenter.

The same phenomena can be observed in a rubber band. The rubber band can be stretched, but at a certain point, it will break (the elastic limit) and snap back (rebound).