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Where do most major geological events occur?

A) In the deep ocean trenches
B) Near the Earth's equator
C) Along boundaries between tectonic plates
D) In the Earth's mantle

1 Answer

3 votes

Final answer:

Most major geological events occur along boundaries between tectonic plates, where they can cause earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and mountain formations due to the movement of the plates driven by convection currents in the Earth's mantle. Option C is correct.

Step-by-step explanation:

The majority of major geological events such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and the formation of mountain ranges occur along boundaries between tectonic plates. These boundaries can be divergent, where plates move apart; convergent, where one plate dives beneath another, known as subduction; or transform, where plates slide past each other horizontally.

Divergent plate boundaries are primarily found in ocean basins, forming features like the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, while convergent boundaries can form deep ocean trenches and mountain belts. The deepest earthquakes are typically associated with subduction zones, which are a type of convergent boundary. Transform boundaries lead to shallow earthquakes and are not typically associated with volcanism.

The movement of these tectonic plates is driven by convection currents in the Earth's mantle, and these geological events are key indicators of the dynamic nature of the planet's lithosphere.

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