Why can the focus of earthquakes be very deep at subduction boundaries?

Answer 1

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A subduction boundary is the point at which two plates collide.

The continental crust is found between 30 km (20 mi) and 50 km (30 mi), while the thinner crust beneath the ocean is found between 5 km (3 mi) and 50 km (30 mi).

Subduction earthquakes can occur at depths of up to 50 km (30 mi), as the focal point is the precise location of the earthquake (it occurs at the bottom of one plate when another plate is pushing under it).

Since a plate's thickness is typically greater in the vicinity of its center, 50 km (30 mi) is more appropriate for the edge of a plate boundary where subduction takes place (20 mi).

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Answer 2

The focus of earthquakes is deep at subduction boundaries because the tectonic plates are forced to submerge beneath one another, creating intense pressure and friction, leading to the release of seismic energy deep within the Earth.

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Answer from HIX Tutor

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.

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