Are earthquakes part of the ecosystem?

Question

Are they? I need to answer a question:
Why is it sometimes difficult to know when human beings should or shouldn’t interfere with the natural processes that occur in an ecosystem?

I am thinking of using earthquakes as an example. That people cannot interfere with it since it is natural. If it isn't part of the ecosystem, do you have any suggestions for an answer?

OK.. they aren't.. soo ANY SUGGESTIONS?

Answer 1

Earthquakes are natural phenomenon. Usually a term "eco-system" refers to plant and animal life. Obviously, earthquakes affect them, but it is really not a part of life.

Earthquakes are more of physical movement of earth's magma and plates.

I am seeing your question as sort of a pointless one, as it is NOT POSSIBLE to interfere with earthquakes. It is not like you can cause one or stop one. The best we can ever do is to predict one.

Does this help? I think you are looking at it in a way that doesn't lead to a solution or an answer.

Answer 2

Earthquakes are more a symptom than anything else. The tetonic plates move and that causes earthquakes. As part of the plates moving mountains form which effect weather patterns the world over. They are part of the very foundation the entire eco-system is formed on.

Answer 3

earthquakes are a natural part of the earth. Plates move, causing earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanos, mountains, etc.

I usually think of living things as part of the "ecosystem"...such as plants and animals. I think of the earth as the place where the ecosystems reside.

But they are definitely natrual processes.

And as far as "people can't interfere with it because it's natural"...um...even if they DID want to "interfere" with it...just how do you expect people to stop techtonic (continental) plates from moving?