Question

part two: map analysis cont.

1. at some convergent boundaries, two plates comprised of continental crust meet.

a. where can you see this happening on your map?
b. what features are common here? explain why this might occur.

1. at other convergent boundaries, continental crust meets oceanic crust. oceanic crust is more dense than continental crust. for that reason, where oceanic and continental crusts meet, oceanic crust dives under continental crust. this is called subduction.

a. what features are common at these boundaries?
b. where can you see oceanic crust and continental crust meet on your map?

1. earthquakes, volcanoes, mountain ranges, and mid - ocean ridges operate at different “temporal scales.” this means that some of those features form quickly, while others form incredibly slowly.

a. which features and processes do you think operate quickly? explain your reasoning.
b. which features and processes do you think operate slowly? explain your reasoning.

1. how do earth’s continental and ocean floor features support the theory of plate tectonics?

Explanation:

• 5a: Convergence of continental - continental plates can be seen in areas like the Himalayas on a tectonic map.
• 5b: Common features are mountain ranges. This occurs because when two continental plates collide, neither subducts easily due to similar densities, so they push against each other and uplift to form mountains.
• 6a: Common features at oceanic - continental subduction boundaries are volcanic arcs, deep - sea trenches, and earthquakes. The subduction of the denser oceanic crust into the mantle causes melting, which leads to volcanic activity, and the bending and breaking of plates cause earthquakes.
• 6b: On a tectonic map, one can see oceanic - continental crust meeting along the western coasts of North and South America.
• 7a: Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions operate quickly. Earthquakes are sudden releases of energy due to the sudden movement along faults, and volcanic eruptions can occur rapidly when pressure in the magma chamber builds up and is released.
• 7b: Mountain ranges and mid - ocean ridges form slowly. Mountain ranges are built up over millions of years through continuous plate collisions and uplift, and mid - ocean ridges are formed by the slow spreading of the oceanic crust as new magma rises and solidifies.
• 8: Earth's continental and ocean floor features support plate tectonics theory. Mountain ranges at convergent boundaries show where plates collide, mid - ocean ridges at divergent boundaries indicate where new crust is formed, and deep - sea trenches at subduction zones show where one plate is forced under another.

Answer:

• 5a: Areas like the Himalayas on a tectonic map.
• 5b: Mountain ranges; due to non - subduction of similar - density continental plates and uplift.
• 6a: Volcanic arcs, deep - sea trenches, earthquakes; due to subduction - related melting and plate movement.
• 6b: Along the western coasts of North and South America on a tectonic map.
• 7a: Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions; sudden energy release and pressure build - up release.
• 7b: Mountain ranges and mid - ocean ridges; formed over long periods through plate processes.
• 8: Mountain ranges at convergent, mid - ocean ridges at divergent, and deep - sea trenches at subduction zones support the theory.