Earth's Dynamic Geosphere: Plate Tectonics Activity 4 - Effects of Plate Tectonics

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Earth's Dynamic Geosphere book cover
AGI/It's About Time

Oceanic Trenches
  • "Basic Geology of the Mariana Islands" - Volcano World
    The subduction of the Philippine plate below the Pacific plate has formed the deepest oceanic trench in the world, the Mariana trench. Read about the geology of this area at this web site. Also has links to the volcanoes which form at this subduction zone.

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Volcanoes at Plate Boundaries

  • Volcanoes formed at subduction zones (convergent plate boundaries) are called composite cone volcanoes. To learn about two very famous composite cones, click on the links below:
  • "Cascade Range Volcanoes and Volcanics" - USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory
    The Cascade Range in the Western United States represents an example of active subduction volcanism. This site provides an in-depth review of the geologic history of the Cascade volcanoes.

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Hot Spots

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Mountains at Plate Boundaries
  • Mount Kilimanjaro
    Learn more about Africa's tallest mountain in the East African rift valley, formed when two plates move apart.

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Earthquakes and Plate Tectonics

  • "Earthquakes and Plate Tectonics" - USGS National Earthquake Information Center
    Explains the distribution of earthquakes around the globe. Includes a review of plate tectonic theory and the four types of seismic zones. Also includes examples of each type of seismic zone.
  • "Plate Tectonics, the Cause of Earthquakes" - University of Nevada Seismology Lab
    This site contains many excellent images, including technical illustrations, satellite images, and maps, that illustrate the link between plate tectonics and earthquakes.

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