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Geop 4096/Geol 6331 Homework One

Due February 9, 2016

Homework assignments must be completed independently. Please safeguard your work all parties

involved in plagiarism will be given zero points and further actions regarding academic dishonesty may

be taken by the university.

Important Note !"pe#$ally %or t&$" a""$'nment, neatne"" w$ll be a %a#tor $n your 'ra(e)

*$n#e $t mu"t all be &an(wr$tten, I w$ll not 'ra(e anyt&$n' t&at I mu"t "tru''le to rea()

+o$nt out your label" neatly, "$n#e $t m$'&t be ea"y to #on%u"e your an"wer" ot&erw$"e)

1). The Earth is composed of numerous entities composed of lithospheric material

known as Tectonic Plates, and knowing them is of fundamental importance to

understanding Global Tectonics. or the map below with the plate boundaries

demarcated in bold red lines, label each of the following ma!or and minor plates on

the map"1 point for each plate)#

$natolian $ntarctic $rabian $ustralian %aribbean %ocos

Eurasian &ndian 'uan de uca (aca (orth $merican

(ubian

*khotsk Paci+c Philippine cotia omalian outh $merican

unda -angte

(ame#

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). *ne of the most signi+cant elements of plate tectonics is the concept of mantle

/ow and the resulting dri0ing force known as basal drag2 where slow con0ection of

asthenospheric material e3erts a frictional force on the base of the lithosphere. This

powerful force is often characteried as the conse4uence of a mantle plume,

otherwise commonl5 called a hotspot. *n the +gure below are twent5 stars

representing the surface e3pressions of the theoried locations of ma!orhotspots6plumes which ha0e been tomographicall5 imaged to the deep lower

mantle 7Montelli et al., 889:; label each of the following on the mapne3t to their

corresponding star " points each)#

$far, Ethiopia $scension %anar5 &slands Easter &slandEifel,

erguelen ?eunion amoa Tahiti

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@). Throughout this course and in an5 con0ersation with a Tectonoph5sicist, 5ou

ma5 hear the term craton "often alternati0el5 called shields, which are simpl5

cratonic terranes e3posed at the surface) used fre4uentl5. %ratons form the

nucleus, in man5 cases, for the continental landmasses we know of toda5. alahari %raton "%ombination of >aap0aal B Cimbabwe %ratons) iberian

%raton

uperior %raton Tanania %raton Dest $frican %raton D5oming

%raton

-ilgarn %raton

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9). The following is a collection of other assorted ma!or tectonic features, including

rift ones, notable orogenies, signi+cant subduction ones "also known as trenches2

or arcs2), and midAoceanic ridges. or the following, simpl5 drawing a circle around

"or pointing to, due to the small sie) the area in 4uestion will be sucient "be sure

to label them on the map, of course) "1 point each)#

$ndean ubduction Cone $lpine *rogen5 $ppalachian6Fariscan *rogen5

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I). $ ke5 element to understanding Plate Tectonics is the knowledge of the histor5

of the assembl5 and breakup of supercontinents or assemblages of landmasses

known as cratons "the nuclei2 of the modern continental landmasses) and their

relati0e timing. or each of the +0e supercontinents listed below, describe boththe

landmasses which comprisedthe supercontinent"i.e. Haurentia, Haurussia,

Gondwana, notable cratons, etc.) and the relative timing"i.e. Hate (eoproterooic,

Earl5 'urassic, etc.) for full credit "9 points each entr5, 8 points total). or help,

refer to the Nance et al.7819: article posted online with the assignment.

Faalbara#

>enorland#

Pannotia#

?odinia#

Pangea#