How are earthquakes at continental plate boundaries different from earthquakes at mid-ocean ridges?(1 point)
Responses
They begin deeper in Earth’s crust.
They begin deeper in Earth’s crust.
They are longer in duration.
They are longer in duration.
They are shorter in duration.
They are shorter in duration.
They begin closer to Earth’s surface
They begin closer to Earth's surface.
The correct response is: They begin closer to Earth’s surface.
To understand the difference between earthquakes at continental plate boundaries and mid-ocean ridges, we first need to understand the basic concepts behind these geological features.
Continental plate boundaries are the regions where two tectonic plates meet on land. These boundaries can be of different types, such as convergent (where plates collide), divergent (where plates move away from each other), or transform (where plates slide past each other). Earthquakes at these boundaries occur due to the stress and strain that builds up as the plates interact with each other. When the stress exceeds the strength of the rocks, it is released, resulting in an earthquake.
On the other hand, mid-ocean ridges are underwater mountain ranges formed at divergent plate boundaries in the middle of the oceans. These boundaries occur where tectonic plates move apart, allowing magma to rise from the Earth's mantle and create new oceanic crust. As the plates separate, earthquakes can occur as the crust adjusts to the stretching and breaking forces.
Now, coming back to the question, one difference between earthquakes at continental plate boundaries and mid-ocean ridges is their depth. Generally, earthquakes at continental plate boundaries begin deeper in Earth's crust compared to earthquakes at mid-ocean ridges. This is because the crust beneath the continents is thicker and more rigid than the oceanic crust. The depth of an earthquake is usually measured in kilometers, and continental earthquakes can occur at depths ranging from a few kilometers to tens of kilometers, depending on the specific tectonic forces involved.
In contrast, earthquakes at mid-ocean ridges are generally shallower because they occur within the less thick and more malleable oceanic crust. These earthquakes usually happen at depths ranging from a few kilometers to around 10-15 kilometers. However, it's important to note that the depth of earthquakes can vary depending on specific geologic conditions at each tectonic boundary.
In summary, earthquakes at continental plate boundaries tend to begin deeper in Earth's crust, while earthquakes at mid-ocean ridges are generally shallower. This difference in depth is influenced by the nature of the continental and oceanic crusts at each type of boundary.