Answer:
.
Step-by-step explanation:
Convergent plate boundaries involve the collision or subduction of tectonic plates, leading to the creation of intense compressional forces. These forces can cause rocks to break and slip along fault lines at various depths, resulting in earthquakes with different focal depths. The subduction process creates conditions suitable for the occurrence of shallow, intermediate, and deep-focus earthquakes.
In contrast, divergent plate boundaries involve the separation of plates, which generates tensional forces that pull the crust apart. This tensional stress primarily affects the uppermost layers of the crust, resulting in shallow-focus earthquakes. The stretching and fracturing of the lithosphere near divergent boundaries lead to the release of accumulated stress in the form of shallow earthquakes.
The primary factor behind the differing earthquake depths at convergent and divergent boundaries is the nature of the forces and geological processes at play. Convergent boundaries involve a variety of complex interactions between subducting and overriding plates, creating conditions suitable for earthquakes at various depths. Divergent boundaries, on the other hand, mainly involve the extension and thinning of the crust, leading to shallow-focus earthquakes.