How do earthquakes occur?: Quick Facts

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Last updated

Nov. 7, 2026

News •

Strong earthquake shakes central Japan, shattering store windows and injuring at least 22 • Nov. 8, 2026, 2:23 AM ET (AP)

Rescuers search for survivors after deadly earthquake in China’s Tibet region • Oct. 23, 2026, 5:51 PM ET (AP)

Powerful earthquake in China’s Tibet region collapses hundreds of homes and kills at least 16 people • Oct. 23, 2026, 1:25 AM ET (AP)

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plate tectonics earthquake fault plate boundary strike-slip fault subduction zone How are mountains formed?How do tectonic plates move?How was the Mariana Trench formed?supercontinent Five Years Later: The Great Sendai Earthquake continental drift aftershock seismic wave continent normal fault