The USGS Earthquake center (http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/map/)and Volc

Question

The USGS Earthquake center (http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/map/)and Volcano Hazards Program (http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/) are two excellent sources of earthquake and volcano information, respectively. The USGS’ scientists track earthquake and volcanic activity worldwide and provide up-to-the-minute information on seismic activity.

Answer the following questions (1-4) as a Word document attachment. Be sure to identify each question by number.

Part 1 - Earthquakes (5 points)

Copy and paste the following URL into your internet browser: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/map/  Go to Settings (the gear icon in upper right, next to the question mark). Select 30 days, magnitude 2.5+ US and leave all other settings unchanged.   Zoom in or out to the area of your interest and the list of quakes on the left will show the most recent quakes in that area.

1) Identify the area in the United States where there is the greatest concentration of earthquakes and explain fully why these locations have such a high number of earthquakes.  

2) Zoom out to see the entire world. Switch to a setting of 30 days, 4.5+.   Identify the location of the largest most recent earthquake from the World List, including information on its magnitude and depth.

Part 2 – Volcanoes (5 points)

Copy and paste the following URL into your internet browser: http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/

Look at the USA map of volcanic sites (white/colored triangles). Move your mouse pointer over these triangles to see the names of the volcanic sites. Click on some of the triangles (preferably different colors) to find out the Color Code and Alert Level assigned to these volcanic sites. You will also see a link to Volcano Page in the same box, which provides a detailed information on volcano for the selected location.

3) Research one volcanic eruption on the web. Discuss your research by indicating the volcano, location, and the year most recent activity took place. Cite your resources for this answer. Resources should be reliable and from sites such as .edu, .org, etc. Make sure the references are current.

4) Answer the question: Why are there no volcanoes or earthquake in Florida?

*Be sure to include the source of your information (hyperlinks if you used them, please). Please number your responses accordingly.

Explanation / Answer

PART 1

1. Most of the 2.5+ earthquakes in the continental USA are along California coast and Central USA (Okhlohoma). The reason for the Californian earthquakes is the strike slip action between the North American plate and the pacific plate. The most famous hotspot is the San Andreas Fault which is located along this zone. The Okhlohoma zone's earthquakes is purely Anthropogenic. The reason is pumping of wastewater from oil industry in deep borewells. this has created some lubrication for the rocks to move against each other.. This is known as Reactivation of Paleofaults.

2. Worldwide, significantly large earthquakes occur in the Pacific Ring of Fire. This is a hotzone for earthquakes and volcanoes alike. The pacific plate is a very dynamic plate which is subducting in all corners of the plate creating Subduction Zones. These subducution zones are a breeding spot for earthquakes as plates move against each other.

Part 2

3. Kilauea volcano in Hawaii is under "Watch" condition so lets take that example. The Hawaiian islands are an example of another type of volcano known as "Mantle Hotspots". These mantle hotspots are away from the plate boundaries but produce eruptive magma. This can be due to shallow location of an isolated chamber located in the mantle.

Kilauea volcano is located in the island of Hawaii. Klauea Volcano continues to erupt at its summit and from the Puu vent on its East Rift Zone.

https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/elevated.html

4. Florida does not have any volcanoes or earthquakes because it is not located near any plate boundaries whatsoever nor it sits over a mantle hotspot like the Hawaiian islands.

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