What is the calculated average speed for the Pacific plate for the last 8 million years (in relation to the spreading ridge), based on the absolute age-dated paleo-magnetic seafloor anomalies between 0 and 8 million years? See Figure 13 below. Calculation Hint: Divide the measured distance between two different paleomagnetic anomaly stripes localities (localities A and B on Figure 13) on the Pacific plate (roughly 300 km ) by the difference in the magnetic anomalies ( \( 8,000,000 \) years), and multiply by \( 100,000 \mathrm{~cm} / \mathrm{km} \) (to convert from km to cm ) to get the average speed (spreading rate) of the Pacific plate moving away from the Juan de Fuca Ridge spreading center (in \( \mathrm{cm} / \) year) for over the last eight million years. See Figure 12 for math setup. juan-de-fuca-ridge.png Close to 4 centimeters per year Greater than 15 centimeters per year Less than 1 centimeter per year Close to 7 centimeters per year Close to 10 centimeters per year Close to 13 centimeters per year
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The calculated average speed for the Pacific plate over the past 8 million years is around 3.75 centimeters per year. This is determined by taking the distance of 300 km between the two paleomagnetic anomaly stripes and dividing it by the time period of 8 million years, which results in a speed of \( \frac{300 \text{ km}}{8,000,000 \text{ years}} \approx 0.0000375 \text{ km/year} \). Converting that to centimeters per year by multiplying by \( 100,000 \) gives about 3.75 cm/year! Interestingly, the Pacific plate continues to shift, impacting not only geological formations but also influencing seismic activity along the West Coast of the United States. As the plate moves, it impacts the environment, creates new geological features, and can even affect weather patterns. Understanding plate tectonics helps us appreciate Earth’s dynamic nature and prepares us for potential earthquakes and volcanic eruptions associated with these movements!
