A class is studying where earthquakes and volcanoes occur on Earth. The teachergives the students a map showing how Tennessee sits nearly in the middle of the North

Question

American Plate, far from the edges of the plate.
North American
Plate
Eurasian
Plate
Pacific
Plate African
Plate
South American
Plate The students discuss how Tennessee should have few earthquakes or volcanoes given the distance of the state from the edges of the plate. They then look at another map
that includes fault lines in Tennessee with seismic activity. The New Madrid Seismic Zone has more earthquakes than the Southern Appalachian Seismic Zone.

What is the most likely explanation that supports this statement?
The map shows that both western and eastern Tennessee have had several earthquakes in two different areas. The students learn that the New Madrid Seismic Zone and
Southern Appalachian Seismic Zone are currently active. a
There are many more faults in the New Madrid Seismic Zone.
b
There is additional stress in the New Madrid Seismic Zone because it is closer to the plate boundary.
c
There is more influence underneath the New Madrid Seismic Zonefrom mantle convection.
d
There are fewer but larger fault lines in the New Madrid Seismic Zone.

Answer 1

b. There is additional stress in the New Madrid Seismic Zone because it is closer to the plate boundary.

The New Madrid Seismic Zone is located near the boundary of the North American Plate and the subducting plates beneath it, which creates additional stress and increases the likelihood of earthquakes in the region. This is in contrast to the Southern Appalachian Seismic Zone, which is further away from the plate boundary and therefore has fewer earthquakes.