Final answer:
The types and locations of tectonic plate boundaries are directly linked to the occurrence of earthquakes, volcanic activity, and the formation of mountain ranges. Divergent, convergent, and transform boundaries each exhibit distinct geological features and behaviors.
Step-by-step explanation:
Earthquakes, Volcanoes and Mountain Ranges in Relation to Plate Boundaries
Earthquakes and volcanoes are closely related to the types and locations of tectonic plate boundaries. Divergent boundaries, often located at mid-ocean ridges, feature shallow earthquakes and volcanoes due to the pulling apart of plates. Convergent boundaries exhibit a wide range of earthquake depths and associated volcanic activity, particularly due to subduction where one plate moves beneath another. This subduction also leads to the formation of mountain ranges, as seen with mountain building processes. Transform boundaries, on the other hand, are known for frequent shallow earthquakes but lack volcanic activity because they involve two plates sliding past each other horizontally.
For instance, the boundary between the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate epitomizes these dynamics. The San Andreas Fault, a transform boundary, is recognized for its earthquakes, while the subduction zone off the coast where the Juan de Fuca Plate is subducting beneath the North American Plate forms the Cascade Range, a volcanic mountain range that includes Mount St. Helens. These examples highlight the correlation between plate boundaries and geological phenomena.
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