Final answer:
Earthquakes are commonly experienced at all types of plate boundaries due to the stresses that accumulate as plates move and interact with one another, leading to irregular slippages along fault zones.
Step-by-step explanation:
Why Earthquakes Occur at Plate Boundaries:
Earthquakes can be experienced at any plate boundary due to the dynamic interactions between tectonic plates. The motion along fault zones is irregular and when plates slide past each other, they accumulate stress which is eventually released as an earthquake. The type of boundary plays a role in the characteristics of an earthquake, such as its depth and magnitude. For example, at subduction zones, we often observe more profound and intense earthquakes due to one plate being forced under another.
There are four basic interactions at plate boundaries which cause earthquakes: (1) divergent boundaries where plates pull apart, (2) convergent boundaries where one plate subducts under another, (3) transform boundaries where plates slide horizontally past one another, and (4) collision zones where plates push together. Each boundary type contributes to the frequency and intensity of seismic activity in unique ways. For instance, convergent and subduction boundaries often lead to more severe earthquakes and the formation of mountain ranges and volcanoes, while transform boundaries generally result in shallower and less intense seismic events.