You have been provided with a list of several locations across the globe with tectonic significance. You can find these in the table below where you will complete your work. You are going to first locate these locations using a
global physiographic map
, and then you will identify the type of tectonic setting represented by this location (List 1), identify which plates are involved from the
tectonic plate map
, and finally list the common geological phenomena and/or physiographic features associated with each type of tectonic setting (List 2). When identifying the type of tectonic setting of each assigned location, you can choose from the following list:
List 1: Types of tectonic setting:
- Divergent Boundary
- Ocean-Continent Convergent Boundary
- Ocean-Ocean Convergent Boundary
- Continent-Continent Convergent Boundary
- Transform Boundary
- Hot Spot
The list of geological phenomena and physiographic features typically associated with different tectonic settings can be selected from this list:
List 2: Common geological phenomena and physiographic features:
- small shallow earthquakes
- large deep earthquakes
- volcanic seafloor spreading
- volcanic hot spots
- volcanic island arcs
- volcanic mountain ranges [on a continent]
- deep sea trenches
- mid-ocean ridges
- continental mountain ranges [non-volcanic]
Remember that all phenomena and features are not found at all types of tectonic locations. Some tectonic settings may contain only one phenomena/feature, other may contain numerous phenomena/features. The features for each tectonic setting
are identified in your textbook. Refer to your text while completing this exercise.
Locations you will investigate (see tables below):
1) Sumatra/Java (Indian Ocean)
2) Mariana Islands (eastern North Pacific Ocean)
3) Reykjanes Ridge (North Atlantic Ocean)
4) Great Rift Valley (eastern Africa)
5) Romanche Fracture Zone (central Atlantic Ocean)
6) Tonga Islands (eastern South Pacific Ocean)
7) West Coast of Central America (Guatemala)
8) Zagros Mountains (north of Persian Gulf)
9) Canary Islands (Islas Canarias) (eastern North Atlantic Ocean)
10) East Pacific Rise (southeast Pacific Ocean)
Northern Virginia Community College – NOVA Online
GOL 105: Physical Geology
Plate Tectonics Lab
September 2020
Maps to use:
This Dynamic Planet (USGS publications) – https://pubs.usgs.gov/imap/2800/
Global Physiographic Map – http://www.shadedrelief.com/world/Data/map1_type.jpg
(use your trackpad to zoom in to see the named physiographic names and features).
***NOTE*** Images of these maps can be downloaded from the Canvas Assignment
Directions which may be easier to manipulate as you are searching for features.
Objective:
The objective of this lab is to familiarize you with the specific geological phenomena
and physiographic features typically associated with common types of tectonic settings
(plate boundaries, hot spots, etc.). These tectonic settings are discussed in detail in
your text. Refer to your text while completing this lab exercise.
Part I
Directions:
You have been provided with a list of several locations across the globe with tectonic
significance. You can find these in the table below where you will complete your work.
You are going to first locate these locations using a global physiographic map, and then
you will identify the type of tectonic setting represented by this location (List 1),
identify which plates are involved from the tectonic plate map, and finally list the
common geological phenomena and/or physiographic features associated with each
type of tectonic setting (List 2). When identifying the type of tectonic setting of each
assigned location, you can choose from the following list:
List 1: Types of tectonic setting:
• Divergent Boundary
• Ocean-Continent Convergent Boundary
• Ocean-Ocean Convergent Boundary
• Continent-Continent Convergent Boundary
• Transform Boundary
• Hot Spot
The list of geological phenomena and physiographic features typically associated
with different tectonic settings can be selected from this list:
List 2: Common geological phenomena and physiographic features:
• small shallow earthquakes
• large deep earthquakes
• volcanic seafloor spreading
• volcanic hot spots
• volcanic island arcs
• volcanic mountain ranges [on a continent]
• deep sea trenches
• mid-ocean ridges
• continental mountain ranges [non-volcanic]
Remember that all phenomena and features are not found at all types of tectonic
locations. Some tectonic settings may contain only one phenomena/feature, other may
contain numerous phenomena/features. The features for each tectonic setting
are identified in your textbook. Refer to your text while completing this exercise.
Locations you will investigate (see tables below):
1) Sumatra/Java (Indian Ocean)
2) Mariana Islands (eastern North Pacific Ocean)
3) Reykjanes Ridge (North Atlantic Ocean)
4) Great Rift Valley (eastern Africa)
5) Romanche Fracture Zone (central Atlantic Ocean)
6) Tonga Islands (eastern South Pacific Ocean)
7) West Coast of Central America (Guatemala)
8) Zagros Mountains (north of Persian Gulf)
9) Canary Islands (Islas Canarias) (eastern North Atlantic Ocean)
10) East Pacific Rise (southeast Pacific Ocean)
This is an example of how to complete the exercise.
Name of feature
Andes Mountains
(western South
America)
Type of tectonic
setting
Ocean-Continent
Convergent
Boundary
Plates involved
Nazca Plate
South American
Plate
Geologic
Phenomena/features
small, shallow
earthquakes
large, deep
earthquakes
deep-sea trench
volcanic mountain
range
Your turn: ***Note*** Not all blanks will be filled in.
Location
Type of tectonic
setting
Plates involved
Geologic
Phenomena/features
Type of tectonic
setting
Plates involved
Geologic
Phenomena/features
Type of tectonic
setting
Plates involved
Geologic
Phenomena/features
Type of tectonic
setting
Plates involved
Geologic
Phenomena/features
Type of tectonic
setting
Plates involved
Geologic
Phenomena/features
Sumatra/Java
Location
I
Mariana Islands
Location
Reykjanes Ridge
Location
Great Rift Valley
Location
Romanche
Fracture Zone
Location
Type of tectonic
setting
Plates involved
Geologic
Phenomena/features
Type of tectonic
setting
Plates involved
Geologic
Phenomena/features
Type of tectonic
setting
Plates involved
Geologic
Phenomena/features
Type of tectonic
setting
Plates involved
Geologic
Phenomena/features
Type of tectonic
setting
Plates involved
Geologic
Phenomena/features
Tonga Islands
Location
West Coast of
Central America
(Guatemala)
Location
Zagros
Mountains
Location
Canary Islands
(Islas Canarias)
Location
East Pacific Rise
Part II
Directions:
You can determine if an ocean basin is getting larger or smaller through time by
estimating the percentage of its perimeter that is composed of deep-sea trenches. If
more than half the perimeter (>50%) is composed of deep-sea trenches, it is likely that
the ocean basin is getting smaller through time. If less than half the perimeter (