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Alexander T
March 25, 2007
President of the United States of America
Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington D.C.
Dear Mr. President,
I have received your request for information on earthquake activity. These
questions that you have asked are definitely some very important ones. Once I have
answered them, I might be saving many lives. People all around the world, who live in
earthquake zones, will need to know this information. It could save lives!
Most of the earthquake activity is occurring around the edge of the pacific plate,
or the “Ring of Fire”. A lot of earthquakes are occurring in Alaska, California, and Japan,
parts of South America, Indonesia, Solomon Islands, Fiji, and Tonga. If civilians moving
into these areas learn this information, they will be a lot safer. Earthquakes are most
likely to occur in these places in the future.
Yes, there are ways to determine which areas of the world are most prone to them.
First, you can study the areas history with earthquake activity. Also, if the area is near a
plate boundary, then it is prone to earthquakes. On the other hand, if it is far from a plate
boundary, it is not prone to earthquakes. This is because earthquakes occur, when two
plates collide.
Yes, there is a relationship between earthquakes and volcanoes. First of all, a lot
of times a volcano’s eruption causes earthquakes. Also, when volcanoes form, there are
earthquakes. When an oceanic plate and a continental plate collide, they form a
subduction zone. Subduction zones form volcanoes and cause earthquakes while doing it.
There are a few things causing earthquakes. First of all, plate collision is causing
earthquakes. When two plates collide, they gather pressure. This pressure is released
through earthquakes, and is called convergent plate boundaries. Then, there are divergent
plate boundaries. This is where two plates, or one plate, pull apart. This tension causes
pressure, which again leads to earthquakes. Also, volcanoes cause earthquakes. As
magma tries to come out of the vent of the volcano’s crater, it builds up pressure. This
pressure is also released through a series of minor to large earthquakes. Lastly, there are
fractures in the crust. These take the form of faults. For example, the San Andreas Fault.
When the fractures of crust, or two plates, rub against each other, they shake the earth.
This information could save thousands of people from harm, and even from
death! I am glad you asked for this information, and took it seriously. I hope you can help
people all around the world with it!