Why is the West Coast of the United States more seismically active than the East Coast?

The West Coast of the United States is more seismically active primarily due to the movements of tectonic plates. This region is situated along the Pacific Ring of Fire, where the Pacific Plate interacts with several other smaller plates and the North American Plate. The boundaries between these plates are often associated with significant geological activity, including earthquakes.

In contrast, the East Coast sits on a relatively stable continental interior, far from active plate boundaries, which results in far lower seismic activity. The tectonic processes occurring at the boundaries on the West Coast lead to the release of energy that causes earthquakes, making this area much more susceptible to seismic events. Thus, the movement of tectonic plates is the fundamental reason for the heightened seismic activity experienced on the West Coast compared to the East Coast.