DISTRIBUTION OF EARTHQUAKES Flashcards
(10 cards)
Where do Earth’s major earthquakes mainly occur?
They occur mainly in belts coinciding with the margins of tectonic plates.
What is the most important earthquake belt in the world?
The Circum-Pacific Belt, also known as the Pacific Ring of Fire.
What percentage of global earthquakes occur in the Pacific Ring of Fire?
About 68% of all earthquakes occur in this region.
Name some regions affected by the Circum-Pacific Belt.
New Zealand, New Guinea, Japan, Aleutian Islands, Alaska, and the western coasts of North and South America.
Why is the Circum-Pacific Belt associated with volcanic activity?
It coincides with many active volcanoes, earning it the name Pacific Ring of Fire.
What is the second most important earthquake belt?
The Alpine Belt, including the Himalayas and Alps.
How much of the world’s total earthquake energy is released in the Alpine Belt?
About 15% of the world’s total earthquake energy.
What is the Mid-World Mountain Belt?
A seismic zone extending from Mexico across the Atlantic, through the Mediterranean, the Alps, the Himalayas, and beyond.
Name some oceanic regions where earthquakes are common.
Arctic Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, western Indian Ocean, and East African Rift Valleys.
Why do earthquakes occur along oceanic ridges?
Due to seafloor spreading and tectonic activity at divergent boundaries.
