Science Olympiad Dynamic Planet Practice Test

What phenomenon results from the movement of rock beneath Earth's surface?

1. landslide

2. earthquake

3. tsunami

4. volcanic eruption

The correct answer is: earthquake

The movement of rock beneath Earth's surface leads to the phenomenon of an earthquake. Earthquakes occur when there is a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust, often due to the movement of tectonic plates. This movement can generate seismic waves, which are the vibrations that are felt on the surface as an earthquake. The primary cause of earthquakes is the build-up of stress along fault lines, where two blocks of rock slide past each other. Eventually, when the stress exceeds the strength of the rocks, they break or slip, releasing energy that propagates through the Earth and manifests as shaking. In contrast, a landslide refers to the movement of rock and soil down a slope, typically due to gravity and not directly related to tectonic shifts. A tsunami is a large ocean wave usually caused by underwater earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or landslides, but it is not a direct result of the rock movement itself beneath the surface. A volcanic eruption involves the movement of magma from beneath the Earth's surface to the surface, but it specifically relates to volcanic activity rather than the general movement of tectonic rock.