Earthquakes can occur almost anywhere but tend to be more frequent in some areas.

Learning Activity

• Click here to view the tectonic plate boundaries. Rotate the globe to view the data.


• Click here to view the tectonic plate boundaries and a world plot of earthquakes. Rotate the globe to view the data.


• Click here to view plate boundaries and earthquakes plotted on a flat map.

1. Is there a link between geography and the location of earthquakes?
   
   Although individual earthquakes can appear almost anywhere it is clear that there is a distinct pattern. The vast majority of earthquakes occur on or near the edges of the Earth's tectonic plates. This is a major clue in determining exactly what causes earthquakes.
2. Where do most of the world's earthquakes seem to take place?
   
   Most of the world's earthquakes seem to take place around the rim of the Pacific Plate.