5.The 15 tectonic plates are rigid in the center and have geological activity * 1 at the boundaries (edges). This means that: The tectonic plate boundaries are where earthquakes and volcanoes occur. Tectonic plates that are rigid do not move The 15 tectonic plates occur only on the continents They are less important than the landmasses (continents)

The correct answer is: **The tectonic plate boundaries are where earthquakes and volcanoes occur.** **Explanation:** Tectonic plates are large, rigid sections of the Earth's lithosphere that move over the semi-fluid asthenosphere beneath them. While the centers of these plates are relatively stable and rigid, the **boundaries** (edges) of these plates are areas of significant geological activity. Here's why the other options are incorrect: 1. **Tectonic plate boundaries are where earthquakes and volcanoes occur.** - **Correct.** Most earthquakes and volcanic activities are concentrated along plate boundaries due to the interactions between plates, such as collisions, separations, or sliding past one another. 2. **Tectonic plates that are rigid do not move.** - **Incorrect.** Even though the interiors of tectonic plates are rigid, the plates themselves are constantly in motion, albeit very slowly (usually a few centimeters per year). 3. **The 15 tectonic plates occur only on the continents.** - **Incorrect.** Tectonic plates include both continental and oceanic crust. For example, the Pacific Plate is primarily oceanic. 4. **They are less important than the landmasses (continents).** - **Incorrect.** Tectonic plates are fundamental in shaping the Earth's surface, influencing the formation of continents, mountain ranges, and ocean basins. Understanding the dynamics at plate boundaries is crucial for comprehending many geological phenomena, including the distribution of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.