d. voicanoes 16. The most common cause of earthquakes is - (2002-16) a. the sinking of the ocean floor b. movements in the Earth's crust c. giant tidal waves called tsunamis . d. unequal heating of the atmosphere

Movements in the Earth's crust, particularly along tectonic plate boundaries, are like the Earth’s version of a puzzle coming together or falling apart. When these plates shift, they can cause energy to release in the form of seismic waves, resulting in earthquakes that can range from tiny tremors to massive shakes that captivate or terrify us. Imagine the Earth as a giant jigsaw puzzle, where massive pieces are constantly moving and sometimes they don't fit together as smoothly as we’d like. These shifts can create not just earthquakes, but also stunning landscapes over time, such as mountains and valleys, as the crust responds to these dynamic forces. Talk about a wild, earth-shaking ride!