Arrange the following statements in chronological order in which an earthquake occurs.

A. The earth’s surface vibrates

B. The plates suddenly move.

C. Due to the movements in the mantle, compression goes on increasing.

D. Along the weak points (fault lines) rocks break apart.

E. Stored energy is released in the form of seismic waves.

The following sequence gives the chronological order when an earthquake occurs –

B. The plates suddenly move.

E. Stored energy is released in the form of seismic waves.

C. Due to the movements in the mantle, compression goes on increasing.

A. The earth’s surface vibrates

D. Along the weak points (fault lines) rocks break apart.

Explanation – The given sequence describes how an earthquake occurs. An earthquake occurs when the tension in the normal movements within the earth’s crust increases leading to formation of massive waves creating trembling on the earth’s surface. The tension is a direct result from the movements of plates putting statement B in the first position. The effect of this sudden plate movement results in the release of energy which makes statement E come in the second position. All these movements (tension and energy release) are occurring in the earth’s mantle. Statement C which describes the same along with the effect it has on the compression comes in the third spot. Increasing compression will create trembling on the earth’s surface making statement A come in at the fourth spot. This vibration is the earthquake and not only will it cause faults to appear on the crust but the crust can also break apart at these fault lines. This makes statement D come in the fifth position. Thus, the correct sequence is B, E, C, A, D.