United States Geological Survey
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington D.C. 20500
3/25/07
Shawna H-D
Edison School
5801 Main Avenue
Bow, WA 98232
Dear Mr. President,
First, let me thank you for assigning me the task for the earthquake report. I
believe, and hope all of the information you need is listed below. In the following are
where the most recent earthquakes are occurring and if they are more likely to occur in
certain locations, whether or not there is any way to determine what parts of the world are
most prone to them, if there is there a relationship between earthquakes and volcanoes,
and what are causing earthquakes.
The most recent main areas that the earthquakes are taking place at are along the
Alaskan peninsula. Chile, and California WA. The earthquakes are most likely to occur
along the Pacific rim/ ring of fire. The Pacific rim/ ring of fire is the plate boundary of the
Pacific plate. Volcanoes and earthquakes are common around the rim of the Pacific plate.
It is called the Ring of Fire because of all the active and dormant volcanoes along its rim.
The areas in witch are most likely to have earthquakes are along plate rims. The
areas that are most earthquake prone are in the middle of the plates. Earthquakes occur
along plate rims because when they shift, due to seafloor spreading, they vibrate causing
a sudden jolting and jerking motion that moves the earth.
Yes, there is a relationship between volcanoes and earthquakes. Earthquakes can
cause volcanoes to erupt, they are both found and occur along or near plate edges, and
both occur due to some type of stress. Both earthquakes and volcanoes occur at he
boundaries of the tectonic plates. The movement of the magma in a volcano causes
earthquakes and adjustments to the flanks of volcanoes and to the plates under volcanoes
also cause earthquakes.
There are many ways that an earthquake is caused to occur. First, an earthquake
can be caused by the release of stress that is built up when plates move. Next, an
earthquake can be caused by the movement of magma in a volcano. Finally, an
earthquake can be caused by slow movements inside the Earth that push against the
Earths crust causing it to break.
Again, thank you for choosing me to research where the most recent earthquakes
are occurring and if they are more likely to occur in certain locations, whether or not
there is any way to determine what parts of the world are most prone to them, if there is
there a relationship between earthquakes and volcanoes, and what are causing
earthquakes. I hope that you have all of the needed information. If not please contact me
if needed.
Sincerely,
Shawna H-D