Question

questions

1. which tectonic plate do you live on?
2. what kind(s) of plate boundaries (convergent, divergent, transform) borders the plate you live on?
3. explore earthquake and volcanic activity nearest to where you live (i.e. indiana).

a. what patterns in earthquake activity do you observe? (geographic locations, frequency, magnitude, depth)
b. what patterns in volcanic activity do you observe? (geographic locations, frequency, magnitude, depth)

1. in general, at what kinds of boundaries do earthquakes tend to occur? support your answer with evidence.
2. at what type of boundary do volcanoes tend to occur? support your answer with evidence.

Explanation:

1. Indiana is in the central - eastern United States and lies on the North American Plate.
2. The North American Plate has various types of boundaries. Along its western edge, it has a convergent boundary with the Juan de Fuca Plate and a transform boundary with the Pacific Plate along the San Andreas Fault.

3a. Indiana has relatively low earthquake activity. Earthquakes are infrequent, with low magnitudes (usually less than 4 on the Richter scale), and shallow depths. Geographic locations of earthquakes in the region are scattered and not concentrated in specific areas.
3b. Indiana has no volcanic activity as it is far from plate boundaries where volcanic activity is common. Volcanic activity near Indiana is non - existent in terms of frequency, magnitude, and depth.

1. Earthquakes tend to occur at all types of plate boundaries. At convergent boundaries, the subduction of one plate beneath another causes stress and earthquakes (e.g., the Ring of Fire). At divergent boundaries, as plates pull apart, magma rises and causes earthquakes (e.g., the Mid - Atlantic Ridge). At transform boundaries, the sliding of plates past each other generates earthquakes (e.g., the San Andreas Fault).
2. Volcanoes tend to occur at convergent and divergent boundaries. At convergent boundaries, when an oceanic plate subducts beneath a continental or another oceanic plate, the melting of the subducted plate due to high pressure and temperature creates magma that rises to form volcanoes (e.g., the Andes Mountains). At divergent boundaries, as plates separate, magma rises to fill the gap and forms volcanoes (e.g., the Mid - Atlantic Ridge).

Answer:

1. North American Plate
2. Along the western edge of the North American Plate, there are convergent and transform boundaries.

3a. Infrequent, low - magnitude (usually < 4), shallow - depth, scattered geographic locations.
3b. None (no volcanic activity in terms of frequency, magnitude, depth).

1. All types of plate boundaries. Evidence: Convergent (Ring of Fire), Divergent (Mid - Atlantic Ridge), Transform (San Andreas Fault).
2. Convergent and Divergent boundaries. Evidence: Convergent (Andes Mountains), Divergent (Mid - Atlantic Ridge).