DANGER TO EARTH DUE TO ITS TECTONIC ACTIViTy

 

     Earthquakes are the primary danger due to tectonic plate movement caused by the sudden release of energy along a faulty line. Most earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions and landslides occur due to tectonic activities only and these can be felt world wise. The places that can be more affected by tectonic movement are the ring of fire, the mid atlantics ridge and the Great Rift Valley. The ring of fire is the meeting point of pacific ocean with land in the shape of horse shoe. 90% of earthquakes occur in the area of ring of fire only. It is a vast area covering with its extremities as 57 degrees north latitude and 77 degrees south latitude. The area from near the north coast of antarctica to the north part of Alaska and Russia come under it. Mid atlantic ridge is a divergent boundary where north American and Eurasian plates are pulling apart. Great Rift Valley is a large scale divergent boundary on land in Africa where African continent is splitting apart slowly.

     75% of the U S A is earthquake area but not regular earthquakes occur. If earthquake occurs it can be dangerous. The U S A has multiple subduction zones. These are found in Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California, the northern Marianas, and the territories of American Samoa, Guam, and the U S Vergin. Movements of tectonic plates near Himalayas also cause danger to earth.  They can trigger landslides and other geological hazards. Collision of the Indian and other eurasian plates build up immense stress along fault lines which then releases as seismic activity.