As the tectonic plates move past each other, they catch and build up vast stores of energy. On March 28, that energy was released in a 'slip-strike' earthquake which caused widespread damage.

Tectonic setting around Japan. Centroid Moment Tensor solution shows the mechanism of the 2024 Hyuga-nada earthquake (b) Pre-seismic SSE (contour interval: 5 cm) 10 July, 2023–6 August, 2024.

"Strong Variations In Tectonic Stresses Discovered In Earthquake Prone Area Near Japan." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 22 January 2008. <www.sciencedaily.com / releases / 2008 / 01 / 080117103739.htm>.

California fault line is 'tectonic time bomb' for disastrous earthquake, researchers say By Travis Fedschun Fox News Published April 22, 2018 10:30am EDT | Updated April 22, 2018 10:23am EDT Flipboard ...