Which statement correctly compares earthquakes at mid-ocean ridges and plate boundaries?
Earthquakes at mid-ocean ridges and plate boundaries are both associated with tectonic activity, but they differ in terms of the type and intensity of earthquakes that occur.
At mid-ocean ridges, earthquakes tend to be less frequent but more moderate in magnitude. These earthquakes are mainly caused by tensional forces as tectonic plates diverge, creating new crust at the spreading center. The earthquakes generally have a shallow focus, occurring within the oceanic crust and upper mantle.
On the other hand, earthquakes at plate boundaries, such as subduction zones or transform faults, tend to be more frequent and can reach higher magnitudes. Subduction zones occur when one tectonic plate is forced beneath another, resulting in intense compression and the potential for large megathrust earthquakes. Transform faults occur when plates slide horizontally past each other, generating shear stress and moderate to large earthquakes.
Therefore, the correct statement that compares earthquakes at mid-ocean ridges and plate boundaries is that earthquakes at mid-ocean ridges are generally less frequent and of moderate magnitude, while earthquakes at plate boundaries can be more frequent and reach higher magnitudes.