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The movement of the tectonics are what create earthquakes. As magma pushes up through some cracks in the plates, it pushes the plates into one another. Where the plates collide is where the earthquakes appear. For example, Japan is on the "ring of fire", or the edge of the Pacific Ocean plate. It experiences earthquakes more frequently than, say, Colorado, which is not near the edge of any plates.

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14y ago
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12y ago

The Earth's surface is formed form a number of interlocking plates which are moved round by the convection of the underlying mantle (as it cools). This means that in some places the plates are being torn apart, in other places the plates are sliding past one another and in yet other places the plates are being squeezed together. These underlying plate movements provide the energy given off as earthquakes.

Earthquakes happen when the rocks breaks under pressure, rather like snapping a stick. As the plates move the rocks deform elastically (like a stick bending) and when eventually the rocks break under the stress, its snaps back to its original shape. This snap back is called elastic rebound. When the rock breaks and rebounds, its gives off energy. This energy causes the ground to shake.

The heat given off by the mantle is the source of energy for volcanoes which also occur near the plate margins. Volcanoes form where the plates are being torn apart (that is where the hot mantle rocks are rising) and where the plates are being squeezed together and cold wet rocks are forced back into the mantle and melt.

Friction also increases the amount of energy that is released from that earthquake, which is then affected by the speed of the movement of the tectonic plate.

Read more: How_Do_Plate_Tectonics_cause_earthquakes

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13y ago

For ordinary Andesite volcanoes, the subduction of one plate carries with it light siliceous sediments from the ocean floor and which have a moderate melting point.

Subducted deeply, this material melts, and forms intermittent chimneys to the surface where it is erupted as volcanoes.

These subduction zones may easily be seen on maps of deep earthquake activity versus distance inland from the coast.

See for example geonet.org.nz and look for 'deep earthquakes'. A very different pattern from the 'shallow earthquakes' shown on the same page.

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13y ago

When Plates shift, or move they run into each other causing the ground to shake

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The movement, binding, and release of binding of tectonic plates CAUSES earthquakes.

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Q: What is the role of plate tectonics in earthquakes and volcanoes?
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Which of the terrestrial planets experiences PLATE tectonics?

The only terrestrial planet known to experience plate tectonics is Earth. Plate tectonics is the movement and interaction of large sections of Earth's lithosphere, and it plays a vital role in shaping the planet's surface and driving geological activity such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.


How does plate tectonics play a role in the formation and eruptions of volcanoes?

Virtually all of the world's volcanoes are located at the boundaries between tectonic plates. It is most common to find volcanoes where an oceanic plate collides with a continental plate. It is the boundary between the Pacific Plate and the continental plates around it that is called the "ring of fire" because so many volcanoes are formed at this boundary. In the collision the denser oceanic plate will be forced underneath of the continental plate. This is called 'subduction', and it usually occurs in destructive plate boundaries. Volcanoes are then formed, when the oceanic plate melts and the molten rock rises, being squeezed up by the forces of the mass above.


What mechanism is most responsible for generating the internal heat of lo that drives the volcanic activity?

The heat responsible for volcanic activity is essentially the magma within the mantle. Plate tectonics also a play a hug role in the formation of volcanoes, such as the plate boundary of which it was formed. The tectonics of the environment of which this volcano was derived will determine the way in which the magma/heat is formed.


What role do volcanoes play in the formation of the galapagos islands?

The volcanic set up of the Islands can be explained by looking at the theories of Plate Tectonics and the Hot Spot. The platform where the Galapagos Islands started their volcanic growth lies right on top of the Nazca Plate. In Galapagos, the Islands to the East are older than those to the West, this implies that the Galapagos Hot Spot is right under the western Islands of Isabela and Fernandina.


Can an earthquake be caused by temperature?

Not by temperature variations at Earth's surface, no. However, temperature variations in Earth's mantle play a role in plate tectonics, and so can affect earthquake activity.

Related questions

Which of the terrestrial planets experiences PLATE tectonics?

The only terrestrial planet known to experience plate tectonics is Earth. Plate tectonics is the movement and interaction of large sections of Earth's lithosphere, and it plays a vital role in shaping the planet's surface and driving geological activity such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.


How does plate tectonics play a role in the formation and eruption and volcanoes?

Volcanoes and volcanic activity occurs at plate boundaries. Especially when one plate over rides another plate - convergent boundary. As a result of pressure, friction, and plate material melting in the mantle, earthquakes and volcanoes are common near convergent boundaries.


What role do plate tectonics play in physical geography?

nothing


How has plate tectonics played a role in Canada's fossil fuel?

No it hasn't.


How does plate tectonics play a role in the formation and eruptions of volcanoes?

Virtually all of the world's volcanoes are located at the boundaries between tectonic plates. It is most common to find volcanoes where an oceanic plate collides with a continental plate. It is the boundary between the Pacific Plate and the continental plates around it that is called the "ring of fire" because so many volcanoes are formed at this boundary. In the collision the denser oceanic plate will be forced underneath of the continental plate. This is called 'subduction', and it usually occurs in destructive plate boundaries. Volcanoes are then formed, when the oceanic plate melts and the molten rock rises, being squeezed up by the forces of the mass above.


What mechanism is most responsible for generating the internal heat of lo that drives the volcanic activity?

The heat responsible for volcanic activity is essentially the magma within the mantle. Plate tectonics also a play a hug role in the formation of volcanoes, such as the plate boundary of which it was formed. The tectonics of the environment of which this volcano was derived will determine the way in which the magma/heat is formed.


How does energy play a role in your lives as individuals and as a society?

Without energy nothing would happen: no weather, no life, no earthquakes, no volcanoes, etc.


Explain in an essay how the geography of japan affected its history and society include the role of the ring of fire?

The mountains made the Japanese move to the coast to make their homes, and as a result, they started to eat a bunch of fish. The Ring of Fire is an area that has many earthquakes and volcanoes. It goes right through Japan, so that's why Japan has so many earthquakes and volcanoes. Also, the Ring of Fire's earthquakes and volcanoes shape Japan, and that's why it has so many mountains.


What role do volcanoes play in the formation of the galapagos islands?

The volcanic set up of the Islands can be explained by looking at the theories of Plate Tectonics and the Hot Spot. The platform where the Galapagos Islands started their volcanic growth lies right on top of the Nazca Plate. In Galapagos, the Islands to the East are older than those to the West, this implies that the Galapagos Hot Spot is right under the western Islands of Isabela and Fernandina.


Can an earthquake be caused by temperature?

Not by temperature variations at Earth's surface, no. However, temperature variations in Earth's mantle play a role in plate tectonics, and so can affect earthquake activity.


What is the role of the pacific ring of fire in the formation of volcanos?

The pacific rain of fire turns counterclockwise which melts it also turns the plate and it forms volcanoes.


What role did plate tectonics play in determining the condition that produced North America's coal reserves?

Plate tectonics played a crucial role in the formation of North America's coal reserves. About 300 million years ago, during the Pennsylvanian period, North America was a landmass located near the equator. The collision of tectonic plates and subsequent oceanic crust subduction created sedimentary basins that gradually filled with organic material, which eventually formed into coal deposits due to heat and pressure. Thus, plate tectonics provided the necessary geological conditions for the creation of North America's coal reserves.