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Seismic zone

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Earthquake epicenters 1963–98

In seismology, a seismic zone or seismic belt is an area of seismicity potentially sharing a common cause. It can be referred to as an earthquake belt as well. It may also be a region on a map for which a common areal rate of seismicity is assumed for the purpose of calculating probabilistic ground motions. An obsolete definition is a region on a map in which a common level of seismic design is required.

The major seismic zones

A type of seismic zone is a Wadati–Benioff zone which corresponds with the down-going slab in a subduction zone. The world's greatest seismic belt, known as the Circum-Pacific seismic belt, is where a majority of the Earth's quakes occur. Approximately 81% of major earthquakes occur along this belt. The Circum-Pacific seismic belt has earned its own nickname and is often referred to as the Ring of Fire, a ring-like formation that encompasses a majority of the Pacific Ocean. The Notorious San Andreas Fault, responsible for many major quakes in the West Coast of the United States, lies within the Circum-Pacific Seismic Belt or Ring of Fire.

Examples

See also

References

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Geological Survey.

  1. "What is a seismic zone, or seismic hazard zone? Where can I find information on seismic zones 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4? What seismic zone is location X in?". United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2018-05-31.
  2. "Benioff zone (seismic belt) – Britannica Online Encyclopedia". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 2018-05-31.
  3. "Where do earthquakes occur? | U.S. Geological Survey". United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2024-06-01.
  4. "The San Andreas Fault". United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2024-06-01.
  5. "Ring of Fire | Definition, Map, & Facts | Britannica". Encyclopædia Britannica. 2024-05-09. Retrieved 2024-06-01.


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