Question

I have a question on my science homework: "Identify a pattern in the location of earthquakes and explain the significance of that pattern. Explain what causes earthquakes to happen in those locations." Can anyone help me?

I'm better at L.A than science.

Answer 1

Ok....I am a bit rusty and out of my turf but I tried this....

Explanation:

You can check the boundaries between tectonic plates where one big plate grinds against another. boundaries can be transverse converging plates like the San Andreas fault, Diverging boundaries like Mid Atlantic ridge, or Converging boundaries like the subduction zone off the coast of South America.

(This is a transverse convergent fault )
[ San Andreas Fault ]

In these regions one plaque ends up going below the other (like when you push a paper against another: one foil can start going below the other, 1 in figure below) figure one is a subduction zone formed by a converging boundary of a continental plate and an ocean plate . or pushing one another causing a ridge to be formed (2 in figure below). Figure 2 is a converging plate formed by two continental plates colliding.

This process produces stress resulting in Potential Energy being stored in our system; this energy can suddenly be released as in a spring-trap contraption resulting in an earthquake.

A telltale evidence that this phenomenon is occurring can also be the formation of volcanoes....have a look at the picture: The melted ocean plate in a subduction zone results in melted magma mixed with water that pushes up toward the surface creating volcanos.

So I would look for places where plates meet as sources of potential earthquakes.