Why are earthquakes found at conservative plate margins?

Why are earthquakes found at conservative plate margins?

At a conservative plate margin , the plates move past each other or are side by side moving at different speeds. As the plates move, friction occurs and plates become stuck. The earthquakes at a conservative plate boundary can be very destructive as they occur close to the Earth’s surface.

Why do we get earthquakes but not volcanoes at conservative plate margins?

At conservative plate margins, tectonic plates slide past each other. There is no volcanic activity associated with conservative plates, though earthquakes can often occur. This is because plates do not pass each other smoothly; friction causes resistance.

Why do earthquakes occur along plate edges?

Earthquakes occur along faults, which are fractures between blocks of rock that allow the blocks to move relative to one another. Faults are caused by the bumping and sliding that plates do and are more common near the edges of the plates.

What type of plate margin causes earthquakes?

About 80% of earthquakes occur where plates are pushed together, called convergent boundaries. Another form of convergent boundary is a collision where two continental plates meet head-on.

Why are volcanoes found at both constructive and destructive margins but not at conservative margins?

This is because a conservative plate margin, sometimes known as a transform fault, is where two plates move past each other without direct collision.

How big is an earthquake at a conservative plate margin?

Earthquakes along conservative plate margins can be very large, up to magnitude 8, and leave plates ten metres away horizontally from where they previously stood. Earthquakes at conservative plate boundaries can be very destructive as they occur close to the Earth’s surface.

What causes an earthquake at a collision margin?

Earthquakes can occur at collision margins. At a constructive plate margin the plates move apart from one another. When this happens the magma from the mantle rises up to make (or construct) new land in the form of a shield volcano. The movement of the plates over the mantle can cause earthquakes.

What are the effects of a conservative plate boundary?

Earthquakes at conservative plate boundaries can be very destructive as they occur close to the Earth’s surface. Following an along a conservative plate boundary, there are often aftershocks as the additional stress on other areas along the fault are relieved.

Why do earthquakes occur at a plate boundary?

As the plates try and move, friction occurs and plates become stuck. Pressure builds up because the plates are still trying to move. When the pressure is released it sends out huge amounts of energy, causing an earthquake. The earthquakes at a conservative plate boundary can be very destructive as they occur close to the Earth’s surface.