What is a megathrust earthquake?
Q: What is a megathrust earthquake?
A: A megathrust earthquake is an interplate earthquake that occurs at subduction zones at destructive convergent plate boundaries, where one tectonic plate is forced underneath another.
Q: What are the magnitudes of megathrust earthquakes?
A: Megathrust earthquakes are the planet's most powerful, with moment magnitudes that can exceed 9.0.
Q: What is the relationship between megathrust earthquakes and earthquakes of magnitude 9.0 or greater?
A: Since 1900, all earthquakes of magnitude 9.0 or greater have been megathrust earthquakes.
Q: Is there any other type of known terrestrial source of tectonic activity that produces earthquakes of the same or greater scale as megathrust earthquakes?
A: No, no other type of known terrestrial source of tectonic activity has produced earthquakes of the same or greater scale as megathrust earthquakes.
Q: What causes megathrust earthquakes?
A: Megathrust earthquakes are caused by the subduction of one tectonic plate underneath another at destructive convergent plate boundaries.
Q: What makes megathrust earthquakes particularly dangerous?
A: Megathrust earthquakes are particularly dangerous because of their high magnitudes, which can cause massive destruction and loss of life.
Q: How common are megathrust earthquakes?
A: Megathrust earthquakes are relatively rare, but they have occurred in several parts of the world, including Japan, Chile, Alaska, and Sumatra.
