An earthquake is the shaking and trembling that results from the movement of rock beneath earth's surface. earthquakes most commonly occur near tectonic plate boundaries.

why is this most likely the case?

a. seismic waves transmit through different media at different speeds. subduction zones at plate boundaries are ideal for transmission of these waves.

b. tectonic plates move along, against, or away from each other at their boundaries. these movements produce earthquakes.

c. many plate boundaries are bordered or covered by the ocean. water from the ocean seeps into earthquake fault lines, softening the rock materials so that they can move and cause earthquakes.

d. earthquakes can only happen near volcanic eruptions, and most volcanoes occur on or near plate boundaries.