3:30 54 Answer Saved Question 10 ABG According to the theory of plate tectonics, where do activities such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur? A. along plate boundaries B. in the centers of plates C. above the surfaces of plates D. in the outer regions of plates © 2025 Renaissance Learning, Inc. All right \( \square \) testing.illuminateed.co

According to the theory of plate tectonics, activities such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions primarily occur: **A. along plate boundaries** ### **Explanation:** The Earth's lithosphere is divided into several large and small tectonic plates that float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere beneath them. The interactions between these plates are concentrated along their boundaries, and these interactions are responsible for most geological activities, including: - **Earthquakes:** These typically occur where plates **collide (convergent boundaries)**, **pull apart (divergent boundaries)**, or **slide past each other (transform boundaries)**. - **Volcanic Eruptions:** Most volcanoes are located along **convergent and divergent plate boundaries**. For example: - **Convergent Boundaries:** When an oceanic plate subducts beneath a continental plate, it can lead to the formation of volcanic arcs. - **Divergent Boundaries:** As plates pull apart at mid-ocean ridges, magma rises to fill the gap, creating new crust and often resulting in volcanic activity. **Options B, C, and D** are incorrect because: - **B. in the centers of plates:** While some intraplate earthquakes and volcanic activities can occur away from plate boundaries (e.g., the Mid-Atlantic Ridge or the Yellowstone Caldera), the majority of such activities are concentrated along plate boundaries. - **C. above the surfaces of plates:** This is too vague and doesn't specifically address the interactions between plates that lead to geological activities. - **D. in the outer regions of plates:** This doesn't accurately describe the locations where plate interactions and resulting activities occur. ### **Conclusion:** **A. along plate boundaries** is the correct answer, as it accurately represents where most earthquakes and volcanic eruptions take place according to the theory of plate tectonics.