GEOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Earthquakes occur along faults, which are fractures between blocks of rock that allow the blocks to move relative to one another. Faults are caused by the bumping and sliding that plates do and are more common near the edges of the plates.

Detailed explanation-2: -We call these puzzle pieces tectonic plates, and the edges of the plates are called the plate boundaries. The plate boundaries are made up of many faults, and most of the earthquakes around the world occur on these faults.

Detailed explanation-3: -Most earthquakes occur at fault zones, where tectonic plates-giant rock slabs that make up the Earth’s upper layer-collide or slide against each other. These impacts are usually gradual and unnoticeable on the surface; however, immense stress can build up between plates.

Detailed explanation-4: -Over 80 per cent of large earthquakes occur around the edges of the Pacific Ocean, an area known as the ‘Ring of Fire’; this where the Pacific plate is being subducted beneath the surrounding plates. The Ring of Fire is the most seismically and volcanically active zone in the world.