Physical Geology On-line Lab and Helpful Lab Hints

Exercise 17: Plate Tectonics

Problem 3

1. Plot the data as indicated on the graph provided on p. 337 in the lab book.
   • This annotated version of graph from p. 337 will help get you started.
   • "Best fit" means a straight line that comes as close as possible to all of the points on that segment. In this case, the segments are given as Kiluea to Laysan and Laysan to Suiko
   • The lines do not have the same slope. One is a little bit steeper. (On this graph, the steeper the line, the slower the rate of plate motion.)
2. Rate = distance/time. The annotated chart indicates which numbers to use.
   • annotated chart from p. 337
   • 10 km/million years = 1 cm/yr (divide km/Myr by 10 to get cm/yr)
3. How did the chain form? Refer to the textbook Chapters 3 & 10 (discussion of "hot spots").
   • If the islands are a record of the plate moving over a "hot spot" how did the chain get a bend? What happened to the direction the plate was moving?
   • When did this happen?  Hint: Identify the seamount located at the bend in the chain and then refer to the annotated chart for the age.

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last updated: 2020-04-11