Globally, where do most earthquakes occur?

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

To answer where most earthquakes occur globally, we need to consider the underlying cause of earthquakes: the movement and interaction of tectonic plates.
Option 1: 'Along plate boundaries' correctly points to the primary source of seismic activity. Most earthquakes happen where plates grind, subduct, or slide past one another, producing large stress and frequent rupture.
Option 2: 'Next to volcanoes' acknowledges that volcanic regions can have earthquakes, but this is not the principal location of the majority of earthquakes. Volcanic quakes are more localized and less frequent on a global scale than plate-boundary events.
Option 3: 'Beneath cities' is misleading because while many cities sit near plate boundaries and thus experience earthquakes, the location of earthquakes is determined by plate dynamics rather than city placement. Some cities are near boundaries, but earthquakes also occur in less populated boundary regions, so this is not the overarching pattern.
Option 4: 'In plate interiors' would imply most earthquakes occur away from plate edges in the steadier interior of plates. In reality, intraplate earthquakes do occur but are comparatively rare and far less frequent than boundary earthquakes, making this option incorrect.

GEO 1030-090 Fall 2025 GEO 1030-090 Final Exam

Globally, where do most earthquakes occur?

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GEO 1030-090 Fall 2025 GEO 1030-090 Final Exam

Globally, where do most earthquakes occur?

View Explanation

Log in for full answers

Similar Questions

Matching the relative moving ways of the plates. 1: A moving way ____ 2: C moving way ____ 3: B moving way ____

Earthquakes are common along which types of plate boundaries?​

Question at position 2 Which letter is an example of the plate boundary type that produces the largest earthquakes on record? EDCBA

Q37. The type of plate boundary at A is ___.

Q36. The type of plate boundary at C is ___.

Question at position 34 Which type of plate boundary involves two plates that move away from each other?divergentconvergenttransformClear my selection

The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is a:

More Practical Tools for Students Powered by AI Study Helper

Making Your Study Simpler

Matching the relative moving ways of the plates. 1: A moving way 2: C moving way 3: B moving way

Earthquakes are common along which types of plate boundaries?