Question

Why are there not as many earthquakes or volcanoes on the east coast of North America as the west coast of North America?

Answer 1

The east coast of North America experiences fewer earthquakes and volcanoes compared to the west coast due to differences in tectonic activity.

Step-by-step explanation:

The east coast of North America experiences fewer earthquakes and volcanoes compared to the west coast due to the differences in tectonic activity.

The west coast of North America lies along the boundary of the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate. This area is known as the Pacific Ring of Fire, which is a zone of active tectonic activity. The movement of these plates leads to frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

In contrast, the east coast of North America is located away from plate boundaries and experiences fewer tectonic activities. The geology of the region is characterized by older and less active geological formations, resulting in a lower frequency of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

Answer 2

The main reason for the difference, Ebel says, is that the California coast is right above the boundary of two of the tectonic plates that make up the Earth's crust. By contrast, Virginia is in the middle of a plate that stretches from the California coast to the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.

Step-by-step explanation: