Earthquakes are distributed mainly along the boundaries of tectonic plates, where the Earth's lithosphere is divided into several large and small plates that are constantly moving. These earthquakes tend to occur in distinct zones rather than randomly around the globe.

Main zones of earthquake distribution

• Most earthquakes occur along convergent plate boundaries (where plates collide and one plate might be forced under another, creating subduction zones) and divergent plate boundaries (where plates move apart). These zones include:
  • The Pacific Ring of Fire, a horseshoe-shaped zone around the Pacific Ocean characterized by a large number of earthquakes and volcanic activity.
  • The Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a divergent boundary in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.
  • Mountain-building zones where continental plates collide, like the Himalayas.

Earthquake location characteristics

• Earthquake activity shows a close relationship with plate margins, especially at subduction zones which generate large and deep earthquakes.
• Narrow belts of seismic activity correspond to the active edges of oceanic and continental plates.
• There are exceptions where earthquakes occur away from plate boundaries, such as at hotspots (e.g., Hawaiian Islands), but these are less common.
• Most earthquakes happen near coastlines, reflecting the location of many tectonic plate boundaries.

Earthquake depth and frequency

• Earthquakes can vary in depth, with shallow earthquakes typically causing more damage.
• The greatest earthquake frequency and magnitude occur along active plate boundaries, notably subduction zones.

In summary, earthquakes are concentrated primarily along tectonic plate boundaries, forming narrow belts of seismic activity on the global map. These zones correlate strongly with geological features such as trenches, ridges, and mountain ranges associated with plate tectonics.