Which of the following is NOT a cause of earthquakes?

Deep sea drilling is not a cause of earthquakes. While drilling can have localized effects on the seafloor and surrounding geology, it does not induce the tectonic processes that typically result in earthquakes. Earthquakes are primarily caused by the movement of tectonic plates, which can be influenced by factors like meteorite impacts, moving magma from volcanic activity, and even landslides that can generate seismic waves under certain conditions.

Meteorite impacts can lead to earthquakes due to the sudden release of energy upon impact, creating shockwaves. Moving magma can cause earthquakes as it forces its way through the Earth's crust, creating pressure that can lead to fractures and seismic activity. Landslides can also generate earthquakes when large amounts of material move rapidly downhill, disrupting the ground and potentially producing seismic waves. In contrast, deep sea drilling does not involve the same geological processes that lead to significant seismic events, making it the outlier among the options presented.