GEOG 1700-Natural Disasters
Tracking earthquakes and volcanoes using Google Earth.
I chose this signature assignment because I have always been fascinated with earthquakes and volcanoes. I was pleasantly surprised by the ease of use of Google Earth to get a wealth of knowledge about these two disasters. Earthquakes and volcanoes are related disasters because they both are caused by plate tectonics. The majority of earthquakes and volcanoes happen on or near plate boundaries all over the globe.
Several different kinds of interactions between the plates can occur, resulting in earthquakes and volcanoes. When two plates collide (converge), one plate must slide under another (subduct). One plate is subsequently pushed up, and the other is pushed down, creating a mountain on the upper plate and a trench above the lower plate from which magma can rise to break through the earth's crust and form a volcano. During this subduction earthquakes can occur as well. Also, when two plates pull away from one another (diverge), a rift is formed that allows magma to rise to the surface creating fissures and volcanoes. Earthquakes can occur during these divergent episodes as well. The third way that plates interact with one another is to slide alongside each other. This too can cause either convergence or divergence creating opportunities for volcanoes and earthquakes.
What I did not know before taking this course is that there are minor tectonic plates. I had always understood the theory of the large plate tectonics, but I have come to learn that I am just barely skimming the surface on what is out there to learn! I also think that before this class I thought that earthquakes and volcanic eruptions were fairly random. But I know understand how much we do know and how it can help us better prepare for and predict these disasters. Below are the links to the two assignments. I thoroughly enjoyed doing this, and I hope you enjoy my information as well!
Earthquakes
Volcanoes
I chose this signature assignment because I have always been fascinated with earthquakes and volcanoes. I was pleasantly surprised by the ease of use of Google Earth to get a wealth of knowledge about these two disasters. Earthquakes and volcanoes are related disasters because they both are caused by plate tectonics. The majority of earthquakes and volcanoes happen on or near plate boundaries all over the globe.
Several different kinds of interactions between the plates can occur, resulting in earthquakes and volcanoes. When two plates collide (converge), one plate must slide under another (subduct). One plate is subsequently pushed up, and the other is pushed down, creating a mountain on the upper plate and a trench above the lower plate from which magma can rise to break through the earth's crust and form a volcano. During this subduction earthquakes can occur as well. Also, when two plates pull away from one another (diverge), a rift is formed that allows magma to rise to the surface creating fissures and volcanoes. Earthquakes can occur during these divergent episodes as well. The third way that plates interact with one another is to slide alongside each other. This too can cause either convergence or divergence creating opportunities for volcanoes and earthquakes.
What I did not know before taking this course is that there are minor tectonic plates. I had always understood the theory of the large plate tectonics, but I have come to learn that I am just barely skimming the surface on what is out there to learn! I also think that before this class I thought that earthquakes and volcanic eruptions were fairly random. But I know understand how much we do know and how it can help us better prepare for and predict these disasters. Below are the links to the two assignments. I thoroughly enjoyed doing this, and I hope you enjoy my information as well!
Earthquakes
Volcanoes