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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 co mmon 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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