Earthquakes are a natural phenomenon that occur when two tectonic plates, which make up the Earth’s crust, move past each other. When these plates move, they create friction that can build up and cause a great amount of energy to be stored. This energy is released suddenly, causing seismic waves that ripple throughout the Earth’s crust, sometimes resulting in the shaking of the ground and destruction of buildings and other infrastructure. Scientists use seismology, the study of earthquakes and seismic waves, to monitor and understand the causes and effects of earthquakes.