Hi EQF. The accepted cause of earthquakes is as follows. You will note that it is attrition that causes an earthquake. What ever is preventing movement at a given location reaches a point where it can no longer resist movement the earth at that location will move in a series of small to moderate quakes, or as in the case of a major quake it moves with one large destructive quake. The greater the resistance to movement the greater the quake will be when that resistance is exceeded.

When two of the Earth's plates move against each other, pressure builds up along the boundary. Often the plates are locked together, unable to move as the pressure increases. Eventually the stress is so great that the crust ruptures, the rock masses jump past one another, and shock waves spread out in a destructive burst of energy. The result is an earthquake.

The theory of plate tectonics explains how the crust of the Earth is made of several plates with large areas of crust that float on the mantle. Since these plates are free to slowly move, they can either drift towards each other, away from each other or slide past each other. Many of the earthquakes that we feel are located in the areas where plates collide or try to slide past each other.

The process that explains these earthquakes is known as Elastic Rebound Theory can be demonstrated with a green twig or branch. Holding both ends, the twig can be slowly bent. As it is bent, energy is built up within it. A point will be reached where the twig suddenly snaps. At this moment the energy within the twig has exceeded the Elastic Limit of the twig. As it snaps the energy is released, causing the twig to vibrate and to produce sound waves.

When a person presents a new theory that person has the responsibility of proving that theory. They will have to show by demonstrating that this is what happens. It isn’t the responsibility of others to prove it doesn’t work. The reason being is that they either don’t believe it, or understand it based on what they believe or understand. In other words that person will have to get them to change their minds about what they believe and or understand. In short that person will have to prove that his/her theory is the correct one. Take Care…Don in creepy town

• What Causes Earthquakes?