Category: Geology

What is polar wandering in geology?

polar wandering, the migration of the magnetic poles over Earth’s surface through geologic time. What causes polar wandering? An important hypothesis of paleomagnetism is that apparent polar wander, the motion of the paleomagnetic pole relative to a continent or plate, is caused entirely by plate motion relative to the mesosphere, which is the relatively stronger

What are the 12 periods?

Eons of geological time are subdivided into eras, which are the second-longest units of geological time. The Phanerozoic eon is divided into three eras: the Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic. The three eras of the Phanerozoic eon. What are the 12 periods of the geologic time scale? Geological time scale Era Period Plant and Animal Development

How do you determine relative age?

Relative Age Determination. Superposition of rock units is a very simple and straightforward method of relative age determination. The principle states that in a sequence of undeformed sedimentary rocks the oldest beds are at the bottom and the youngest ones are at the top. How do you determine the relative ages of igneous rocks? The

What is Biostratigraphic correlation?

A scientific method that enables the determination of the geological age and position of rocks, geologic events and processes by comparing sets of fossils found in different geological profiles. What is the principle of biostratigraphic correlation? Biostratigraphic correlation uses index fossils to determine strata ages. Index fossils represent assemblages or groups of organisms that were

What are the major fault lines in California?

The most significant faults within the plate boundary in central and northern California include the San Andreas, San Gregorio-Hosgri, and Hayward-Rodgers Creek fault zones. What is the most famous fault line in California? The San Andreas fault The San Andreas fault is the primary feature of the system and the longest fault in California, slicing

Is a big earthquake going to hit California?

The threat of earthquakes extends across the entire San Francisco Bay region, and a major quake is likely before 2032. Knowing this will help people make informed decisions as they continue to prepare for future quakes. Will an earthquake destroy California? SAN FRANCISCO, CA — The “big one,” a powerful earthquake that could devastate California

What is flow in mass wasting?

Flows are rapidly moving mass-wasting events in which the loose material is typically mixed with abundant water, creating long runouts at the slope base. Flows are commonly separated into debris flow (coarse material) and earthflow (fine material) depending on the type of material involved and the amount of water. What is the meaning of earth

Why Pyroclastic flows are so dangerous?

A pyroclastic flow is a hot (typically >800 °C, or >1,500 °F ), chaotic mixture of rock fragments, gas, and ash that travels rapidly (tens of meters per second) away from a volcanic vent or collapsing flow front. Pyroclastic flows can be extremely destructive and deadly because of their high temperature and mobility. What makes

What are the pieces of the crust called?

The Earth’s crust and upper part of the mantle are broken into large pieces called tectonic plates. These are constantly moving at a few centimetres each year. What is a part of the crust? The crust of the Earth is composed of a great variety of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. The crust is underlain

What are the 4 processes of erosion?

Destructive waves erode through four main processes; Hydraulic Action, Compression, Abrasion and Attrition. What are the 4 types of erosion? Rainfall produces four types of soil erosion: splash erosion, sheet erosion, rill erosion, and gully erosion. What are the 4 processes of erosion in a river? Erosion There are four ways that a river erodes;

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