Question

use the illustration below to answer questions 4 - 5.
do not write on!!!!!!!
the figure below shows where the major earthquakes occurred between 1980 and 1990. the
red dots indicate locations of the earthquakes. the orange lines are the boundaries of the
tectonic plates. study the map and answer the following questions.

1. what general pattern do you observe between the location of earthquakes and the

location of the tectonic plates?
a. the location of the earthquakes and the plate boundaries are different on the
map.
b. the location of the earthquakes and the plate boundaries are located in the
pacific ocean.
c. the location of the earthquakes and the plate boundaries are located in
unpredictable locations.
d. the location of the earthquakes match up with the plate boundaries on the map.
. where do most of the earthquakes appear to occur?
a. in the middle of the plate.
b. in the interiors of the continents
c. along the coastlines.
d. along the north american plate

Explanation:

Question 4

• Option a: If the location of earthquakes and plate boundaries were different, it would not align with the known geological principle that earthquakes often occur at plate boundaries. So this option is incorrect.
• Option b: Saying they are only in the Pacific Ocean is too narrow. Earthquakes occur at plate boundaries all over the world, not just in one ocean. So this option is incorrect.
• Option c: Earthquakes at plate boundaries follow a pattern (though exact timing can be hard to predict), they are not in unpredictable locations. So this option is incorrect.
• Option d: According to the theory of plate tectonics, earthquakes occur at plate boundaries (where plates interact - converge, diverge, or slide past each other). So this option is correct.

Question 5

• Option a: The middle of the plate is relatively stable (less stress accumulation compared to boundaries), so earthquakes are less common here. So this option is incorrect.
• Option b: The interiors of continents (away from plate boundaries) are generally more stable. So this option is incorrect.
• Option c: Coastlines often coincide with plate boundaries (e.g., subduction zones along some coasts). At plate boundaries, there is more tectonic activity (stress release in the form of earthquakes). So this option is correct.
• Option d: Saying only along the North American plate is too specific. Earthquakes occur along many plate boundaries worldwide. So this option is incorrect.

Answer:

1. d. The location of the earthquakes match up with the plate boundaries on the map.
2. c. Along the coastlines.