Why does Japan have earthquakes and volcanoes?

Answer 1

Volcanoes and earthquakes are both the result of what is known as plate tectonics; the Earth's crust is composed of a number of large pieces known as plates, which float on the underlying magma of the mantle, and which slowly drift, and collide with each other. Volcanoes are also related to currents in the magma which can break through the crust even aside from the phenomenon of continental drift.

Answer 2

Mexico has both large earthquakes and active volcanoes because the Cocos plate (the oceanic plate to the south) is subducting beneath the continental North American plate. The process of subduction creates the world's largest earthquakes and also the volcanoes around the Pacific Ring of Fire, including those in southern Mexico (and Cascadia, Alaska, Central and South America, etc.).

Answer 3

Because Italy is right on the boundary between the Eurasian plate and the African plate. The portion of the African Plate that is under the Mediterranean Sea is sliding under the Eurasian Plate. The plates takes with it some seawater which, gets into the rocks of the upper mantle, lowering the melting point. The resulting molten material rises up through the Eurasian plate, forming volcanoes in parts of Italy and near Greece. As the plates grind into each other tension builds up and is released in the form of earthquakes.

Answer 4

Peru and in fact most of the west coast of South America is bordered by a subduction zone. This is a plate boundary where one plate subducts or slides under another one. In this case the Nazca Plate is subducting under the South American Plate. As the plates grind against each other pressure/stress builds up and is periodically released in the form of earthquakes. The subducting Nazca plate carries easily vaporized substances called volatiles (mostly water) with it as it descends into the mantle. These components lower the melting point of the rock. The resulting molten material then rises up from beneath the South American Plate. The force of the two plates coming together has also created the Andes.

Answer 5

Japan is at the intersection of 4 of earth's tectonic plates: the Pacific Plate, the Eurasian Plate, the Philippine Plate, and the Okhotsk Plate; all of which are moving. Tension built up as the plates grind against each other is released in the form of earthquakes. The most notable feature here is a subduction zone, where the Pacific PLate collides with and slides under the Philippine and Okhotsk Plates. This builds up the greatest tension and produces the largest earthquakes. As the Pacific Plate sinks into the mantle it takes some seawater with it. The seawater lowers the melting point of the rock in the mantle, forming magma. This rises to the surface, forming volcanoes.

Answer 6

Yes. Peru has had many earthquakes, and the Sabancaya Volcano is an active volcano in southern Peru.

Answer 7

Because of its location close to the edge of a tectonic plate where Europe and Africa are close to each other.

Answer 8

Like most plate boundaries, the Mediterranean is a location for geologial activity, like earthquakes and volcanoes.

Answer 9

The interior of the planet is so hot that it's melted, and it moves around and that causes the earth on top of it to crack and buckle.

Answer 10

Because the interior of the Earth is hot.