Earthquakes are primarily distributed along the edges of Earth's tectonic plates, forming narrow belts that correspond to plate boundaries. This pattern is most prominent along the Pacific Ring of Fire, which surrounds the Pacific Ocean and includes countries like Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia, the western coasts of North and South America, and New Zealand. Earthquakes are also found at plate boundaries such as those between the Eurasian and Indian plates (e.g., the Himalayas) and along mid-ocean ridges like the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The locations of earthquakes are thus mainly along convergent plate margins (where plates collide and one may subduct under another), divergent plate margins (where plates pull apart and new crust is formed), and transform boundaries (where plates slide past one another). Some earthquakes also occur away from plate boundaries, in areas with ancient fault lines or intra-plate activity, but these are less common. In contrast, regions in the middle of tectonic plates, such as central and eastern Canada, most of Brazil, central parts of Africa, northern Europe, central and eastern Australia, and Siberia, experience very few or no earthquakes because these areas are geologically stable.
Summary of Earthquake Distribution
- Concentrated mainly along tectonic plate boundaries.
- Major belts include the Pacific Ring of Fire, Himalayan region, and Mid-Atlantic Ridge.
- Occur at convergent, divergent, and transform plate margins.
- Less frequent away from plate boundaries but possible in areas with old fault zones.
- Stable interior plate regions experience few to no earthquakes.
This distribution reflects the dynamic nature of Earth's lithosphere and the movement of tectonic plates beneath the surface.
