- investigating plate tectonics
A. Atlantic Ocean:
Make the Atlantic cross-section visible (To do this: Expand Plate Tectonics Exercise Data in the Places window to the left of the program by clicking the arrow to the left of it. Also expand plate tectonics exercise" to access data layers.) Then, expand the Cross-sections folder by clicking the down arrow to the left of it. Double Click on Atlantic. It's also helpful to unchecked boxes of the layers you aren't using). Then 'Show the Elevation Profile' (Right click Atlantic - Click 'Show Elevation Profit') to launch a graph of the elevations along the cross-section (a side view).
9. On the cross-section, find the transition from continental crust to oceanic crust of the North American continent. At approximately what mile along the cross section (found by hovering the mouse cursor over the cross-section) are the transitions (Use what you know about plate thickness and density). The actual sea level line does not necessarily tell you where the edge of the continental crust is)?
10. At what mileage is the plate boundary between the North American and African plates?
11. Using bathymetry (ocean depth data shown in the cross section) and ocean floor age data (Turn on layer 'Age-of-Ocean-Floors.kmz), describable the types of evidence that support the location you have chosen for the plate boundary.
12. What type of earthquake (shallow or deep) occurs along the plate boundary? (Turn on USGS +4.5M Earthquakes for one or more years, and zoom in to the location of the plate boundary.
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