plate tecs gw 2 Flashcards
how are fold mountains formed?
- formed along convergent plate boundaries
- compressional force creates immense pressure
- layers of rock buckle and fold
what are some examples of fold mountains?
- atlas mountain
- swiss alps
- andes
- himalayas (tibet)
- barisan
- rocky mountains (NA plate)
name locations of fold mountains
- convergent plate boundaries
- himalayas: across southern asia (indian and erusian plate)
- rocky mountains (juan de fuca and north american plate)
how are rift valleys formed?
- valley with steep sides and flat floor
- formed due to tensional forces
- fault lines are formed
how are block mountains formed?
- block of land with steep sides
- formed when sections of the crust extends along fault lines and rock masses
where are rift valleys and block mountains found?
- divergent plate boundaries
what are the characteristics of volcanoes?
- viscosity
- low-silica
- high-silica
define viscosity?
viscosity is the stickiness of lava/resistance to flow
like you compre pouring water to pouring chocolate sauce right chocolate sauce got higher viscosity
how does low-silica affect the volcano?
- lower viscosity –> less explosive eruptions
- allows gases to escape easily –> flows more easily through the vent by reaching surface
- outer layer of the cooling lava forms a thin crust
how does high-silica affect the volcano?
- higher viscosity –> more explosive eruptions
- traps gases easily –> built up pressure below earth’s surface
- magma rises through earth’s surfaces –> gases expand –> outward explosion
- ejects: lava, ash, rock fragments and gases into the surrounding environment
what are the physical characteristics of shield volcanoes?
- gently sloping sides
- broad summit
how are shield volcanoes formed?
- formed when low silica lava (lsl) is ejected
- lsl flows easily and spreads out over a large are before solidifying
- lava doesn’t trap as much gas, not as explosive
- base of volcano increases in size as lava accumulates
- usually near divergent plate boundaries where magma can rise directly
- i.e. mount washington in USA
how are stratovolcanoes formed?
- develop from successive eruption of lava and pyroclastic
- subsequent eruption ejects lava which covers pyroclastic and prevents it from eroding
- successive eruptions build a high volcano with slightly concave profile
what are the physical characteristics of stratovolcanoes?
- steeper at the top and gentler at the base; secondary cones may develop
- mainly found at convergent plate boundaries
what is an active volcano?
- currently erupting
- i.e. pacific ring of fire
what is a dormant volcano?
- currently inactive but may erupt in future
- i.e. mount hood, oregon, USA
what is an extinct volcano?
volcanoes w/o seismic activity/geological evidence of eruption for past thousand years
what are the risks of living near volcanic areas?
what are the risks of living near volcanic areas?
- massive destruction by volcanic areas
- pollution
explain massive destruction by volcanic materials
- lava and pyroclast consists of ash, rock fragments, volcanic bombs
- widespread damage to property
- lava: has high temperature of 500-1400 degrees celsius and burns the area if it flows through
- low-silica lava: moves rapidly and flows long distances; damage to larger areas
- pyroclastic flow: destroys everything in its path with hot rock fragments at great speeds :( inhaling hot ash and gases can result to serious injury/death
- volcanic bombs: fall in areas surrounding volcanoes and causes damage to property
- landslides: have potential to obstruct flow of rivers; block roads, bury village and farmlands