The shaking of the Earth's surface resulting from a sudden release of energy caused by convection currents is called an earthquake. Convection currents in the Earth's mantle, driven by heat from the Earth's core, cause the mantle material to rise and sink in a continuous cycle. These currents move the tectonic plates that make up the Earth's crust. When the movement of these plates causes them to collide, pull apart, or slide past each other along faults, stress builds up. Eventually, this stress overcomes friction, causing the plates to suddenly slip and release stored elastic strain energy. This release of energy generates seismic waves that shake the ground, producing an earthquake

. In summary:

• Convection currents in the mantle drive the movement of tectonic plates.
• The movement and interaction of these plates at faults cause stress buildup.
• Sudden release of this stress results in an earthquake, which is the shaking of the Earth's surface