Earthquakes are caused when two plates touch each other. Plates meet at places called “boundaries”. Three types of boundaries exist – transform, divergent, convergent.

 

Transform Boundaries – these boundaries occur when two plates slide, or rather grind, past each other.

 

Divergent Boundaries – a divergent boundary is created when two plates move away from each other, leaving an open space in the middle.

 

 

Convergent Boundaries – occur when two or more plates are moving towards each other.

 

 

When two plates slide against each other or run into each other at a transform or convergent boundary respectably, a strain is created. When these strains are too intense, they eventually release their built up energy, the result of which is an earthquake.