Plate Tectonics and Pangaea Overview

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Questions and Answers

What geological feature is primarily associated with the San Andreas Fault?

Transform boundary (correct)

Divergent boundary

Convergent boundary

Subduction zone

What occurs during divergent boundaries according to the described processes?

Oceanic plates collide, forming volcanic islands.

Plates rift apart, allowing magma to rise and solidify. (correct)

Convection currents slide plates past each other smoothly.

Magma from the core forces the plates downwards.

How do convection currents in the mantle contribute to plate tectonics?

They directly influence weather patterns on the surface.

They drive the movement of magma, causing plates to move apart. (correct)

They create mountain ranges through uplift.

They cause plates to fracture into smaller pieces.

What is a consequence of plates colliding at plate boundaries?

Creation of mountain ranges and volcanoes Signup and view all the answers

What temperature can the inner core of the Earth reach?

Up to 5500 degrees C Signup and view all the answers

Which concept describes the interaction of tectonic plates moving towards each other?

Convergent boundaries Signup and view all the answers

What is released during the melting of rock at tectonic plate boundaries?

Carbon dioxide Signup and view all the answers

What happens to magma that does not stay on the earth's surface after cooling?

It descends back into the mantle, gets reheated, and can rise again. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the data collected by buoys in relation to tsunamis?

To identify affected regions of land. Signup and view all the answers

Which step is NOT recommended for preparing your home before an earthquake?

Install double-glazed windows. Signup and view all the answers

What is a critical component of an emergency plan according to the content?

Establish a family communication plan. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of an important emergency supply to keep at home?

Water and canned food. Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step recommended by the Earthquake Alliance for preparing your space?

Secure your stuff. Signup and view all the answers

Which organization is responsible for providing earthquake preparedness information at the municipal level?

Capital Region District. Signup and view all the answers

What is NOT typically a part of emergency preparedness after an earthquake?

Restoring utilities immediately. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following websites focuses specifically on steps to take before, during, and after an earthquake?

The Great British Columbia Shakeout. Signup and view all the answers

What was the supercontinent that existed approximately 250 million years ago?

Pangaea Signup and view all the answers

How long ago did Pangaea begin to break up?

200 million years ago Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best defines plate tectonics theory?

It proposes that earth's outer layer consists of movable plates. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following plates carry the continental crust?

North American Plate Signup and view all the answers

What type of boundary occurs when two tectonic plates slide against each other?

Transform Boundary Signup and view all the answers

Which tectonic plate carries Canada and parts of the US?

North American Plate Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is NOT a characteristic of plate tectonics theory?

Plates are fixed in one position. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two types of crust mentioned in the plate tectonics context?

Continental Crust and Oceanic Crust Signup and view all the answers

What geological process is involved in the formation of fold mountains at convergent boundaries?

Orogency Signup and view all the answers

Which type of rocks are primarily involved in the formation of fold mountains?

Sedimentary and metamorphic rocks Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of the oceanic crust compared to the continental crust?

It is thinner and denser. Signup and view all the answers

What significant earthquake is referred to as 'The Big One' in relation to the Cascadia Subduction Zone?

A major earthquake of magnitude 8 or above. Signup and view all the answers

Where is the Juan de Fuca plate located?

Cascadia Subduction Zone Signup and view all the answers

What type of plate boundary is associated with the formation of ocean trenches?

Convergent boundaries Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes the crustal features of rifts on continents from those on ocean floors?

Oceanic crust is significantly thinner. Signup and view all the answers

Which infrastructure is most likely to be impacted by the 'big one' earthquake?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What precaution should be taken regarding identity documents before a tsunami occurs?

Secure all forms of identity such as passports and licenses. Signup and view all the answers

During an earthquake, the recommended action to take is to:

Stop, drop, and hold yourself to the ground. Signup and view all the answers

After experiencing a tsunami warning, what is the first action to be taken?

Stay tuned to local media for further instructions. Signup and view all the answers

What is DART an acronym for in tsunami forecasting?

Deep-Ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunamis. Signup and view all the answers

How does the DART system assist in tsunami prediction?

By measuring wave heights and predicting inundation areas within half an hour. Signup and view all the answers

What should residents do when evacuating during a tsunami?

Head to designated high ground away from hazard zones. Signup and view all the answers

What elements are commonly marked on tsunami evacuation maps?

Tsunami hazard zones and assembly areas. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following actions should NOT be taken during a tsunami warning?

Return to the area as soon as the shaking stops. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Pangaea

Pangaea was a supercontinent that contained all land masses
Was formed around 250 million years ago
Broke up around 200 million years ago

Plate Tectonics

Theory widely accepted since the 1960s
Earth's outer layer is broken into several large slabs called plates
Plates hold the continents and oceans
Plates slowly and constantly move around the planet
Supports the understanding that continents aren't fixed and have moved over time
Explains how and why earthquakes, volcanoes, and other geologic events occur

Types of Crust

Continental Crust is thicker than Oceanic Crust

Tectonic Plates

North American Plate carries Canada, US/Central America, and the NW Atlantic Ocean
Pacific Plate, Juan De Fuca Plate, and North American Plate boundaries are located on the BC west coast.

Plate Boundaries

Convergent Boundaries are an area on Earth where two or more plates push toward each other.
Divergent Boundaries are two tectonic plates moving away from each other
Transform Boundaries happen when two tectonic plates slide against each other.

San Andreas Fault

Is a famous transform boundary
Located in California, USA

Divergent Boundaries

Push up large amounts of land
Cause land masses to rift/break apart
Magma rises between the cracks of the plates
Hardens/cools from cold ocean water.

Convection Currents in the Mantle

Magma rises to the top, causing the earth to split apart
When plates split apart, some collide, causing one of them to go underneath the earth
When some of that rock is melted due to the intense heat, carbon dioxide is released and once enough pressure is built, volcanoes form and erupt.
This cycle repeats as not all of the magma stays on the surface; some comes back down, and once reheated, comes back up.
Inner core can have temperatures of up to 5500 degrees C
Oceanic plates are found are oceans, and continental plates are found beneath large land masses

Fold Mountains

Formed over millions of years when colliding tectonic plates cause the Earth's crust to warp and fold, a process known as orogeny.
Typically found at convergent plate boundaries
Primarily made of weaker sedimentary and metamorphic rocks
More prone to folding due to compression forces.

Ocean Trenches

Connected to divergent boundaries
Mariana's Trench is the deepest ocean trench, located in the Pacific Ocean

Oceanic Crust

Thinner than continental crust

Cascadia Subduction Zone

The Juan De Fuca plate is in the process of subducting underneath the North American Plate

"The Big One"

The earthquake that will occur when the Juan the Fuca plate hits the North American Plate.
Magnitude 8 or above

Urban Infrastructure

Buildings, roads, bridges, power lines, water supply systems
Impact by "The Big One" will likely result in loss of power and water, damage to buildings and infrastructure.

Tsunami Evacuation Protocol

Tsunami hazard zone/inundation area is at risk of being flooded by a tsunami
Assembly areas/meeting spots are safe locations to gather after an earthquake
Stay outside of tsunami hazard zones to avoid being affected by the tsunami
Notification Zones are areas that are at risk of being affected by a tsunami.

DART

Deep-Ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunamis
Stations are located around the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, as well as near earthquake zones
Buoys stationed within earthquake zones measure wave heights
Predicts the area of land that will be affected by a tsunami using the data the buoys obtain.
Provides a high-quality tsunami forecast showing which areas will be inundated

Earthquake Preparedness

Before, During, and After are the three recommended stages in earthquake preparedness
Secure your stuff by securing heavy items and moving breakable items to lower shelves.
Plan to be safe by creating an emergency plan, choosing a meeting spot after the earthquake and having a plan to communicate with family.
Get emergency supplies such as water, food, and a first aid kit.

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Description

Explore the formation and breakup of Pangaea, the supercontinent that existed around 250 million years ago. Understand the theory of plate tectonics, including the types of crust and different plate boundaries, which explain the movement of Earth’s continents and the geological activities that occur. This quiz covers the fundamental aspects of Earth's geological processes.