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

Simplest visualisation is snapping your fingers. Your thumb and middle finger are the tectonic plates, pushing against each other until the force trying to move them becomes stronger than the friction keeping them in place and then SNAP earthquake.