Why the Pacific Rim is called the Pacific Rim
Topic, surrounding volcanoes! And the entire West Coast of our nation resides on the Pacific Rim so we actually have a real stake in what happens when a volcano erupts, etc. Below are links that you should check out from the USGS showing the earthquakes that happened just in one day around the world. Evidently one happened in Oklahoma.
I also want to alert your to the amazing tools that you can manipulate at Google Earth. Fantastic Google Earth Links at the USGS to explore:
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/kml.php
From the readings above for this week:
Volcanoes
Like earthquakes, volcanoes are clustered along boundaries between tectonic plates, as Figure 3-5 shows. Movement within Earth and between the plates generates magma (molten rock). Being less dense than the surrounding rock, magma migrates toward the surface. Some reaches the surface and erupts, and is then called lava. A volcano is the surface vent where lava emerges. The magma may flow over the surface, forming a plain of volcanic rock, or it may build up to form a mountain. The chemistry of the magma/lava determines its texture and therefore the type of landform it builds. The chemistry of magma/lava also determines whether the eruption is violent or relatively gradual.
Figure 3-5 Earth’s tectonic plates.
(a) The major plates of Earth’s crust move relative to one another, generally at rates of a few centimeters per year. (b) These motions cause earthquakes that are concentrated along plate boundaries. Ridges with rift valleys at their centers are formed where plates are moving away from each other, generally in ocean areas. Mountain ranges are created where plates converge, sometimes with deep-ocean trenches on the seaward side of the convergence area.
Shield volcanoes erupt runny lava that cools to form a rock called basalt. They are called shield volcanoes because of their shape (Figure 3-7). Each of the Hawaiian Islands is a large shield volcano, although the only currently active ones are Mauna Loa and Kilauea, on the island of Hawaii (the “Big Island”). These generally sedate volcanoes make news on the rare occasions when they grow more active, and flows of lava threaten settlements. The mid-ocean ridges are formed of similar basaltic lava.
Class, why is the Pacific Rim called the Pacific Rim?
…………..Answer Preview………….
The Pacific Rim is called the Pacific Rim because of the numerous volcanic eruptions and earthquakes that take place at this region. This area is horse-shaped and covers around 40,000 kilometers. The area has continuous series of volcanic arcs, plate movements and oceanic trenches. This area has around 452 volcanoes and over 75% of dormant and active volcanoes are found in this region. This region is referred to as the home………………….
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