Where do volcanoes and earthquakes happen?

The distribution of volcanoes and earthquakes is not random. Volcanoes typically occur in narrow bands along plate margins. They are found both on land and sea.

Volcanoes and earthquakes typically occur where plates meet. The map below shows the main plates.

Look at the relationship between the map above showing where plates meet and the map below showing the most recent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

Earthquakes occur at all three types of plate margins: constructive, destructive and conservative. Volcanoes are found at constructive and destructive plate margins. An exception to this are hot spot volcanoes.