Answer:
Earthquakes typically occur near tectonic plate boundaries, which are regions where two or more tectonic plates meet. As the plates move and interact with each other, they can create stress and strain on the surrounding rocks, which can eventually lead to an earthquake. Therefore, the statement "earthquakes typically occur near tectonic plate boundaries" is correct. The term "fault lines" refers to the fractures or breaks in the earth's crust along which movement can occur during an earthquake. Fault lines often coincide with tectonic plate boundaries, but not all tectonic plate boundaries have visible fault lines. So, statement "a" is also correct, but statement "b" is not always true.
Step-by-step explanation: