0
Because the boundaries are where the two plates bump into each other creating sound waves, which travel through the ground. Those sound waves make the ground shake or vibrate, causing an earthquake.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoEarthquakes typically do not occur in the middle of tectonic plates. Earthquakes are mostly caused by 2 tectonic plates colliding into or sliding past each other, resulting in friction that causes earthquakes. However, there are no such tectonic activity going on in the middle of tectonic plates.
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoBecause that earthquakes are made by two plates rubbing or hitting together. when they do, they cause vibrations. These can be felt from a long way away. as they vibrations start moving through the plates, they slow down and by the time they have reached near the middle of the plates, they have completely stopped
Elitemeemoo Sood
Here is an answer taken from a couple of websites. I have underlined and made bold the important parts. The bold and italics are somewhat relevant. The rest is for your own curiosity with a short case study on Mexico from the 2nd website. Sources are listed in bold, italics and are underlined.
Earthquakes rarely occur in the middle of plates, but they can happen when ancient faults or rifts far below the surface reactivate. These areas are relatively weak compared to the surrounding plate, and can easily slip and cause an earthquake.
2nd Website Explanation
Mid- or intra-plate earthquakes are those that occur within the boundaries of the major crustal plates. Most (over 90%) earthquakes occur along the tectonically active plate boundaries, where the major crustal plates are moving past and/or away from each other. However, large and damaging earthquakes can and have occurred within the plates, far from the boundaries. For example, the New Madrid earthquakes of 1811–1812 occurred well within the North American Plate. Both intra-plate and plate boundary earthquakes occur along faults, zones of crustal weakness that have experienced and/or continue to experience relative movement and deformation associated with tectonic activity. Intra-plate earthquakes are difficult to explain because they occur in the relatively stable interiors of plates. Seismic data, however, indicate that faults and fractures are very common in the upper crust of the earth. These act as zones of weakness that can be reactivated if the in situ stress field becomes favorable. Studies of the New Madrid events indicate that the earthquakes occurred along fault zones of an ancient rift system within the North American Plate.
In the winter of 1811–1812, one of the largest sequences of earthquakes in recorded history occurred within the North American Plate near the town of New Madrid, Missouri. The magnitudes of at least three of those earthquakes are estimated to have been greater than 8.0 on the Richter scale . The earthquakes were felt over an area of millions of square miles and as far away as Boston. During the quakes, large areas of land rose and large areas of land fell several feet. Lakes were created and islands disappeared. The Mississippi River was disrupted, waterfalls formed, and large waves swamped many boats. During one of the events, the Mississippi River gave the illusion of flowing backwards. In 1895, another significant but smaller earthquake occurred in this region near the town of Charleston, Missouri. That quake was felt in 23 states.
Earthquakes along plate boundaries are relatively understandable given the tectonic activity localized there. Intra-plate earthquakes are much more enigmatic. One explanation offered for the New Madrid earthquakes are the increased stresses that were induced in the region by the unloading of the ice sheets that covered much of the northern United States until about 20,000 years ago. Geological evidence indicates that large earthquakes have occurred in this region before 1811. Some modeling suggests that the stresses that caused the earthquakes may persist for thousands of years in the future.
Sources:
t.ly/Suwo
and
t.ly/bnxX
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoBeacuse this is where the plates are moving and this movement causes earthquakes :)
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoearthquakes are when pressure builds up between two plates and they slide against each other
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoyes it is possible
Wiki User
∙ 12y agonothing
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
Where do the earthquakes tend to occurred?
Where the tectonic plates occur.
Why do most earthquakes occur at or near tectonic plate boundaries?
Most earthquakes occur near tectonic plates because as the plates shift, they move the ground causing an earthquake to occur. Most earthquakes happen there but you must keep in mind that the tectonic plates only move 4-6 centimeters every years.
What happens when tech tonic plates collide with oceanic plates?
Tectonic plates are oceanic plates. But when tectonic plates collide and a convergent boundary earthquakes occur.
Why are earthquakes most likely to occur?
when earthquakes occur they're most likely on or near tectonic plates. Tectonic plates are the different segments of the earths crust. Earthquakes occur when tectonic plates move towards, away eathother or when one plate weighs more than the other and bottom one melts away and becomes magma (lava underground). Basically a shift in the earth. Because both earthquakes and volcanoes are both linked to tectonic plates, earthquakes can also set off tremors than can make some volcanoes erupt!
Where are earthquakes formed the most?
most earthquakes occur in the Pacific Ring of Fire. edit: I believe the answer you're looking for is that most earthquakes occur on the boundaries of tectonic plates.
Where does movement occur in earthquakes?
Tectonic plates.
Most earthquakes occur at the boundaries of these?
Most earthquakes occur at the boundaries of the tectonic plates. Tectonic plates are always in motion, and when two of them collide with one another it causes earthquakes.
Where do the earthquakes tend to occurred?
Where the tectonic plates occur.
Earthquakes occur most often along the?
Earthquakes occur most often along the boundaries of tectonic plates.
Where on earth do earthquakes occur?
Most earthquakes occur at or near the boundaries between tectonic plates.
What occurs at the edge of tectonic plates?
Scientists observed that volcanoes and earthquakes occur at the edge of tectonic plates.
Do tectonic plates meet where earthquakes often occur?
Yes.
Earthquakes occur mainly allong the edges of?
Tectonic plates and fault lines created by the movement of tectonic plates.
Why do most earthquakes occur at or near tectonic plate boundaries?
Most earthquakes occur near tectonic plates because as the plates shift, they move the ground causing an earthquake to occur. Most earthquakes happen there but you must keep in mind that the tectonic plates only move 4-6 centimeters every years.
What are tectonic plantes?
Tectonic plates are plates that float on the earths mantle. There are 8 major tectonic plates on the earth and at the joints of these many earthquakes seem to occur.
How does earthquake occur?
Earthquakes are caused when pressure builds up as two tectonic plates move together. As the pressure is released, an earthquake is produced.
What happens when tech tonic plates collide with oceanic plates?
Tectonic plates are oceanic plates. But when tectonic plates collide and a convergent boundary earthquakes occur.
