What makes earthquakes happen so suddenly?

Question

So need help in my understanding here. My knowledge is earthquakes are caused by the tectonic plates rubbing together/pulling apart. And that the plates move very slowly.

If it is caused by slow and steady movement of the tectonic plates. What is it that is happening that causes all that energy to be released suddenly and causing an earthquake? Is it simply that part of the plate breaks causing alot of movement suddenly or is there something else in play?

Thanks

In: 3

Answer 1

Tectonic plates are HUGE and move slowly, which would be akin to very slowly bending a plastic ruler. You can keep bending it for a long time and nothing will happen until it reaches the breaking point and shrapnel flies everywhere