GS1 · 10 marks · 150 words

How does the movement of continental plates help explain the spatial distribution of earthquakes in specific regions of the world? Illustrate with examples.

Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2023–2025

Plate tectonicsGeophysical Phenomena

Syllabus: Important Geophysical Phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc

How toppers approached it

From all 3 answers · about 160 words · 67% drew a diagram.

Opening

  • A definition2 of 3
  • A figure1 of 3

Body

  • Points2 of 3
  • Points and prose1 of 3

Close

  • A summary2 of 3
  • A way forward1 of 3

The toppers’ answers

Pakshal SecretryAIR 8 · CSE 2025 · 93 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening · a figure

81% of earthquakes are concentrated in Ring of fire region, while 17% in the Asian - European fault line.

Body · points

81% of earthquakes are concentrated in Ring of fire region, while 17% in the Asian - European fault line.

Diagram
- Table showing "Explaining of Spatial distribution" - Map of the Pacific region showing the "Rings of fire" - Features: - Asia continent - NA (North America) - SA (South America) - Austra (Australia) - "x" marks indicating the Ring of Fire zone along the Pacific perimeter

(1) Presence of large number of plate boundary in the region eg Pacific plate, Cocos plate

(2) Zone of submergence eg deep trenches, like Mariana

(3) Volcanic Islands eg Indonesia

In Asia - European Region

(4) Colliding of Indo - Australian plate with Eurasian plate

(5) Presence of dynamically active -> young fold mountains

Diagram
- Two horizontal plates moving towards each other - Vertical line showing earthquake at boundary - Label: Earthquake due to collision

(6) Presence of diverging plate boundary

eg) Anatolian fault

Diagram
- Two plates moving away from each other - Central point showing earthquake - Label: Earthquake due to diversion
Diagram
- Other Reason for earthquake - Volcano induced - Dam induced eg Koyna - Collapse of roof - Landslide induced - Bracket indicating all these are 'little in number'

Thus, plate tectonics was able to explain trend of earthquake distribution

Close · a summary

eg) Anatolian fault Thus, plate tectonics was able to explain trend of earthquake distribution

More on Plate tectonics

Plate movement, earthquakes, volcanism and the distribution of both.

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