Go to the USGS Web site to locate the reading material for this assignment: Understanding Plate Motions. The reading material should open in a new window, which you can read or print. The United States Geological Survey is one of the most prominent geological organizations in the world. When you have time, explore the Web site: USGS.
For supplemental information about the assignment, i.e. to better understand the topic, you can read the section, Plate Tectonic, starting on p. 329 in Volcanoes in the Sea and pp. 1-6 in Roadside Geology of Hawaii.
1. Where do most earthquakes occur?
2. List the three types of plate boundaries. (Exclude plate boundary zones)
3. Give the relative motion at each type of plate boundary. (Also see illustration of the main types of plate boundaries)
4. State whether crust is created or destroyed a each type of plate boundary.
5. Give the spreading rate of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.
6. How old is the Atlantic Ocean?
7. Explain why Iceland is growing wider.
8. How did the Red Sea form?
9. Explain why volcanoes form in the East African Rift Zone.
10. Explain why east Africa might become the site of Earth’s next major ocean.
11. Explain why the rates of production and destruction of crust must be equal.
12. Define subduction zone.
13. List the three types of convergent plate boundaries.
Oceanic-Continental Convergence
14. Describe the characteristics of an oceanic-continental plate boundary.
15. Give the depth of the deepest earthquake ever recorded in S. America.
16. Why is the Pacific Rim called the ring of fire?
17. How is magma generated at subduction zones?
Oceanic-Oceanic Convergence
18. Describe the characteristics of an oceanic-oceanic plate boundary.
Continental-Continental Boundary
19. Explain why continental lithosphere cannot be subducted.
20. Describe the characteristics of a continental-continental plate boundary.
Transform Boundary
21. Where do most transform faults form?
22. Name the most famous transform fault in N. America.
23. Give the rate of motion of the San Andreas fault.
Plate-Boundary Zones
24. Explain the concept of a plate-boundary zone.
Rates of Motion
25. Give the range of rates for plate motions.