Comprehensive Plate Tectonics, Logic, Radioactivity, and Probability Assignment
An assignment on plate tectonics, logic, radioactivity, and probability in the context of geology.
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Comprehensive Plate Tectonics, Logic, Radioactivity, and Probability Assignment
Show all of your work. Maximum possible points: 50
1. Plate Tectonics (8 pts)
A new chain of islands is discovered, with a high frequency of volcanic activity. Four
hypotheses are proposed to explain the cause of the volcanic activity.
H1: The islands are found on a convergent boundary.
H2: The islands are found on a divergent boundary.
H3: The islands are found on a transform boundary.
H4: The islands are found on a hotspot.
a. (2 pts) Which of the four hypotheses could be ruled out immediately as the
cause of the volcanic activity? Why?
The hypothesis H3 could be ruled out, because transform boundaries are places
where pates merely slide past each other and do not tear or crunch each other.
So, volcanic activities are not seen often on a transform boundary.
b. (6 pts) For each of the other three hypotheses, find one other piece of physical
evidence (earthquake, elevation, volcanic, age of ocean floor, or other) that
could be used as evidence to support the hypothesis above the remaining
hypotheses. Explain your answers.
1) A convergent boundary, also known as a destructive plate boundary, is
an actively deforming region where two (or more) tectonic plates or
fragments of lithosphere move toward one another and collide. As a
result of pressure, friction, earthquakes and volcanoes are common
near convergent boundaries supporting the hypothesis H1.
2) A divergent boundary (also known as a constructive boundary or an
extensional boundary) is a linear feature that exists between two tectonic
plates that are moving away from each other. Divergent boundaries also form
volcanic islands which occur when the plates move apart to produce gaps
which molten lava rises to fill. This supports the hypothesis H2.
3) Hot spots are fixed places within the mantle or oceanic lithosphere,
where rocks melt to generate magma. When a hotspot is situated in the
oceanic lithosphere a class of volcanoes is built, supporting the
hypothesis H4.
Show all of your work. Maximum possible points: 50
1. Plate Tectonics (8 pts)
A new chain of islands is discovered, with a high frequency of volcanic activity. Four
hypotheses are proposed to explain the cause of the volcanic activity.
H1: The islands are found on a convergent boundary.
H2: The islands are found on a divergent boundary.
H3: The islands are found on a transform boundary.
H4: The islands are found on a hotspot.
a. (2 pts) Which of the four hypotheses could be ruled out immediately as the
cause of the volcanic activity? Why?
The hypothesis H3 could be ruled out, because transform boundaries are places
where pates merely slide past each other and do not tear or crunch each other.
So, volcanic activities are not seen often on a transform boundary.
b. (6 pts) For each of the other three hypotheses, find one other piece of physical
evidence (earthquake, elevation, volcanic, age of ocean floor, or other) that
could be used as evidence to support the hypothesis above the remaining
hypotheses. Explain your answers.
1) A convergent boundary, also known as a destructive plate boundary, is
an actively deforming region where two (or more) tectonic plates or
fragments of lithosphere move toward one another and collide. As a
result of pressure, friction, earthquakes and volcanoes are common
near convergent boundaries supporting the hypothesis H1.
2) A divergent boundary (also known as a constructive boundary or an
extensional boundary) is a linear feature that exists between two tectonic
plates that are moving away from each other. Divergent boundaries also form
volcanic islands which occur when the plates move apart to produce gaps
which molten lava rises to fill. This supports the hypothesis H2.
3) Hot spots are fixed places within the mantle or oceanic lithosphere,
where rocks melt to generate magma. When a hotspot is situated in the
oceanic lithosphere a class of volcanoes is built, supporting the
hypothesis H4.
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