Alpide Belt

seismic belt

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Last updated

June 18, 2026

Quick Summary

A seismic belt is a narrow geographic zone on Earth's surface where most earthquake activity occurs. These belts are found along the edges of tectonic plates where they move against each other.1

The Alpide Belt is one of the two major seismic belts. It stretches from the Azores, through the Mediterranean region and the Middle East, to the Himalayas and Indonesia, where it connects with the Circum-Pacific Belt. This belt accounts for approximately 15 percent of the world's earthquake energy. Features often associated with seismic belts include island arcs, mountain chains, volcanism, and deep ocean troughs.12

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earthquake
Causes of earthquakes
…second belt, known as the Alpide Belt, passes through the Mediterranean region eastward through Asia and joins the Circum-Pacific Belt in the East Indies. The energy released in earthquakes from this belt is about 15 percent of the world total. There also are striking connected belts of seismic activity, mainly…
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…second belt, known as the Alpide Belt, passes through the Mediterranean region eastward through Asia and joins the Circum-Pacific Belt in the East Indies. The energy released in earthquakes from this belt is about 15 percent of the world total. There also are striking connected belts of seismic activity, mainly…
Read More

Asia
Chronological summary
…continental collisions are called the Alpides and form the present Alpine-Himalayan mountain ranges. Both the Cimmerides and the Alpides resulted from the elimination of the Tethyan oceans, and collectively they are called the Tethysides.
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…continental collisions are called the Alpides and form the present Alpine-Himalayan mountain ranges. Both the Cimmerides and the Alpides resulted from the elimination of the Tethyan oceans, and collectively they are called the Tethysides.
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