Question

With the help of an example, explain how human activities cause earthquakes.

Answer 1

Human activities can induce earthquakes by altering stress levels within the Earth’s crust or triggering movement along existing fault lines.

• Example: Large-scale reservoir-induced seismicity, such as the filling of massive artificial water reservoirs (e.g., the Koyna Dam in India or the Xinfengjiang Dam in China), is a well-documented cause.
• Mechanism: The immense weight of the accumulated water increases hydrostatic pressure and alters the stress distribution in the underlying rock strata. Water seeps into microscopic cracks and faults, reducing frictional resistance between rock masses and triggering sudden slippage that results in an earthquake.