As a geologist with a focus on seismology, I can tell you that earthquakes are most likely to occur along the boundaries of tectonic plates. The Earth's lithosphere is divided into several major and minor tectonic plates that float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere beneath. At the boundaries where these plates interact, there is significant geological activity, including the occurrence of earthquakes.

The Ring of Fire, which encircles the Pacific Ocean, is the most seismically active area in the world. This region includes the western coast of South America, the coast of North and Central America, the eastern coast of Asia, and the island nations in the western Pacific. Within this area, countries like Japan, Indonesia, New Zealand, Chile, and the Philippines are particularly prone to earthquakes due to their location at the edges of the Pacific Plate, which interacts with multiple other plates.

Additionally, Himalayan region countries like India, Nepal, and Bhutan are also at high risk due to the collision of the Indian Plate with the Eurasian Plate.
Italy is another country that experiences significant seismic activity, particularly in its southern regions, due to its location near the boundary of the African and Eurasian plates.

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Earthquakes can also occur far from the edges of plates, along faults. Faults are cracks in the earth where sections of a plate (or two plates) are moving in different directions. Faults are caused by all that bumping and sliding the plates do. They are more common near the edges of the plates.read more >>