Volcanoes and earthquakes tend to occur near
the edges of continents
, which can show the
shape of the tectonic plates
across the Earth.
This statement is correct. Volcanoes and earthquakes often occur near the edges of continents, which are known as tectonic plate boundaries.
The Earth's lithosphere is divided into several large and small tectonic plates that float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere beneath them. These plates continuously move and interact with each other. There are three main types of plate boundaries, including divergent, convergent, and transform boundaries.
At divergent boundaries, tectonic plates move away from each other, creating gaps. Magma from the mantle rises to fill these gaps, leading to volcanic activity. Additionally, the movement of the plates at these boundaries can cause earthquakes.
At convergent boundaries, tectonic plates collide with each other. Depending on the type of colliding plates, different geological features can form, such as subduction zones or mountain ranges. Along these convergent boundaries, many volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occur due to the intense pressure and friction between the plates.
Transform boundaries occur when plates slide past each other horizontally. These boundaries are responsible for creating strike-slip faults, which can also generate earthquakes.
Since most plate boundaries are located along the edges of continents, volcanic activity and earthquakes tend to be more frequent in these areas. Therefore, studying the distribution of volcanoes and earthquakes provides valuable information about the shape and movement of tectonic plates across the Earth.