2007-12-04 04:10:43 · 12 answers · asked by Jay4our 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
the questions is whether they ONLY occur at plate boundaries
2007-12-04 04:13:31 · update #1
False, but the term earthquake is a bit loose. Most earthquakes are on plate boundaries and are referred to as tectonic in origin.
But there are other movements that provoke shakes and tremors and are called earthquakes. One of the most spectacular occurred in the U.S. in the early 1800's and was felt for hundreds of miles, it is now thought to be a sudden settling of sedimentary rock in the northern mid-west.
Hot spot volcanoes cause shakes that are called earthquakes without plate boundaries being involved.
2007-12-04 04:33:19 · answer #1 · answered by dougger 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
False. The largest quake in North America in historic times was in the New Madrid seismic zone. It is in the middle of the plate, no where close to a boundary. Even today, this region has more earthquakes than any other part of the United States east of the Rocky Mountains.
http://quake.usgs.gov/prepare/factsheets/NewMadrid/
Eastern Kansas also has earthquakes sometimes. That is about as far from a plate boundary as you can get in the US.
Earthquakes can also be caused by mine collapses and other sudden mass movements anywhere.
2007-12-04 16:47:37 · answer #2 · answered by Now and Then Comes a Thought 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
False. Two years ago an earthquake occurred in Richmond, VA (middle of the state). It was about a 3-3.5 on the Richter scale. The nearest fault line/plate boundary is in the Atlantic Ocean. Granted, it's not like this occurred in the middle of the country, but Richmond doesn't typically have earthquakes.
2007-12-04 12:23:46 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
False - Hawaii experiences Earthquakes and Hawaii is not on any plate boundary. It is on a hot spot of volcanic activity in the middle of the pacific plate.
2007-12-04 12:24:45 · answer #4 · answered by straightshooter 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
false. earthquakes occur in or near volcanoes that are not located at plate boundaries.
2007-12-04 12:27:18 · answer #5 · answered by Loren S 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
False they can occur along old fault lines that were once plate boundaries but are now far from edge, for example in the UK, it recieves hundereds of minor quakes each year from it's ancient fault lines.
2007-12-04 16:21:54 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
False.
2007-12-04 12:30:19 · answer #7 · answered by dinky 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
False, they can occur anywhere a fault lies!
2007-12-04 12:19:38 · answer #8 · answered by Wounded Duck 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
false
2007-12-04 12:17:55 · answer #9 · answered by parkituse j 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
false, a earth qucke can also be found at metor impact sites.
2007-12-04 12:19:19 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋