Laboratory Manual for Introductory Geology 4e

EXERCISE 2.12
Name:
Course:
Long-Term Movement of the Pacific Plate (continued)
Section:
Date:
(c) Based on the age data on the bathymetric map, in what azimuth direction did the Pacific Plate move originally?
(d) How far has the Meiji seamount moved from the hot spot? Explain your reasoning.
(e) At what rate has the Pacific Plate moved?
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based on data from the Hawaii-Midway segment? km per million years
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based on data from the Hawaii-Kimei segment? km per million years
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based on data from the Kimei-Meiji segment? km per million years
(f) Has the Meiji seamount moved at a constant rate? Explain your reasoning.
(g) In what direction is the Pacific Plate moving today? Explain your reasoning.
(h) Assuming that the current direction of motion continues, what will be the eventual fate of the Meiji seamount?
Explain in as much detail as possible.
2.6 Active versus Passive Continental Margins
Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are common on the west coast of North America,
but there are no active volcanoes on the east coast, and earthquakes there are rare.
Geologists call the west coast a (tectonically) active continental margin and the east
coast a passive continental margin. These differences can be found on several continents.
Most passive continental margins have broad continental shelves, whereas
active continental margins typically have narrow continental shelves. In Exercise
2.13, you will examine the reasons for these differences.
50 CHAPTER 2 THE WAY THE EARTH WORKS: EXAMINING PLATE TECTONICS