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Tectonic hazards

Visualising the forces that drive plate movements

To understand the distribution of tectonic hazards such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and tsunamis you need to understand the processes that cause them. This column looks at a range of diagrams, graphic animations and video clips that illustrate what is going on within and beneath the tectonic plates of the Earth’s crust

Visit the website of the Geological Society of London and its plate tectonics page: www.geolsoc.org.uk/Plate-Tectonics. After the opening animation has played, check (tick) the lower-left ‘Volcano distribution’ square. The world map will display active volcanic locations. Check the ‘Earthquake distribution’ and ‘Tectonic plates’ squares and you will see the very strong correlation between all three patterns. Hovering over each tectonic plate will reveal its name. Check the ‘Direction of plate movement’ box to reveal the directions in which the plates are moving. Then check the different types of plate margin (best done one at a time, unchecking the previous one before selecting a new one) to reveal where plate boundaries are divergent, conservative and convergent.

To what extent are tectonic hazards related to plate boundary type?

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