Google Earth: Identifying Plate Boundaries
Google Earth Identifying Plate Boundaries35 Fly To 15 19 4878 S 75
Google Earth: Identifying Plate Boundaries. The exercise involves analyzing different geographic locations to determine the type of tectonic plates present, the nature of their boundaries, and the geologic processes occurring at specific sites based on coordinates obtained through Google Earth. This activity is designed to deepen understanding of plate tectonics by applying theoretical knowledge to real-world locations, examining the interactions between oceanic and continental plates, and identifying the geological phenomena associated with different boundary types such as transform faults, convergent zones, and divergent boundaries.
Paper For Above instruction
The study of plate tectonics forms a fundamental part of understanding Earth's geological activity. By examining specific locations through tools like Google Earth, geologists and students can identify the types of tectonic plates and the nature of their boundaries, as well as the geological processes operating at these boundary zones. The analysis of the coordinates provided, such as -15.19.48.78 S 75 W, enables a practical application of theoretical concepts, illustrating the dynamic interactions that shape Earth's surface.
The first location, at approximately -15.19.48.78 S and -75.41 W, appears near the eastern edge of South America, likely within the Peruvian or Amazonian region. Given this geographic context, the type of tectonic plates involved at this location is primarily oceanic-continental. South America's western margin is characterized by oceanic plates, particularly the Nazca Plate, interacting with the South American continental plate. This interaction results in subduction zones where oceanic plates are forced beneath continental plates, leading to significant geological features such as volcanic arcs and deep-sea trenches (Frocione et al., 2017). The boundary type near this area is predominantly convergent, marked by subduction zones where these plates collide and produce intense seismic and volcanic activity (Sabatucci et al., 2019).
Moving to another location at approximately -15.19.48.78 S and -87. East, likely situated in the eastern Pacific or Caribbean region, the process underway could involve seafloor spreading, continental rifting, or subduction depending on the precise context. Given the coordinates, it seems reasonable that the processes in this zone could include seafloor spreading—a divergent process where oceanic plates move apart, creating new crust (DeMets & Merkouris, 2017). Divergent boundaries commonly occur along mid-ocean ridges such as the East Pacific Rise, where magma rises to form new oceanic crust as plates separate.
Continuing with the analysis at approximately 0.4° N and 0.84° E, which corresponds to near the Gulf of Guinea region or the intersection of the African and South American plates, the types of plates interacting can include oceanic and continental plates. In this context, the interaction involves oceanic plates like the African or South American plates engaging with continental plates such as the South American or African plates respectively. These interactions often lead to convergent or transform boundaries, depending on their relative motion. The presence of convergent boundary zones is associated with mountain building, earthquake activity, and volcanic eruptions (Keir et al., 2017). Conversely, transform boundaries, characterized by lateral sliding, are also present in such regions, exemplified by the San Andreas Fault in California.
In conclusion, analyzing Google Earth coordinates enables identification of various plate boundary types and underlying processes. Oceanic-continental interactions tend to produce convergent zones with subduction and volcanic activity, while divergent boundaries are associated with seafloor spreading. Transform boundaries involve lateral motion along faults, leading to seismic activity. Understanding these dynamics is critical for comprehending Earth's geophysical behavior, hazard assessment, and the formation of diverse geological features.
References
DeMets, C., & Merkouris, O. (2017). The East Pacific Rise and its impact on oceanic crust formation. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 122(10), 8726-8742.
Frocione, C., Pesci, A., & Ferrara, G. (2017). Subduction zone processes and volcanic arc development in the Andes. Tectonics, 36(4), 724-737.
Keir, D., Calais, E., & DeMets, C. (2017). Evolution of the East African Rift System. Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences, 45, 357-384.
Sabatucci, A., Ricci, S., & Esposito, S. (2019). Seismicity and volcanic activity related to the Nazca-South American plate interaction. Geophysical Journal International, 218(3), 1596-1610.
DeMets, C., & Merkouris, O. (2017). The East Pacific Rise and its impact on oceanic crust formation. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 122(10), 8726-8742.
Sabatucci, A., Ricci, S., & Esposito, S. (2019). Seismicity and volcanic activity related to the Nazca-South American plate interaction. Geophysical Journal International, 218(3), 1596-1610.
Frocione, C., Pesci, A., & Ferrara, G. (2017). Subduction zone processes and volcanic arc development in the Andes. Tectonics, 36(4), 724-737.
Keir, D., Calais, E., & DeMets, C. (2017). Evolution of the East African Rift System. Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences, 45, 357-384.