Movement in narrow zones along plate boundaries causes most earthquakes. Most seismic activity occurs at three types of plate boundaries—divergent, convergent, and transform. As the plates move past each other, they sometimes get caught and pressure builds up. ... This is an earthquake.

Why do earthquakes occur on boundaries?

Most earthquakes happen at or near the boundaries between Earth's tectonic plates because that's where there is usually a large concentration of faults. Some faults crack through the Earth because of the stress and strain of the moving plates. ... Movement along those faults can cause earthquakes too.

What boundaries cause most earthquakes?

In general, the deepest and the most powerful earthquakes occur at plate collision (or subduction) zones at convergent plate boundaries.