Purchase Solution

plate tectonics, divergnece and hotspots

Not what you're looking for?

Ask Custom Question

What is the relevance of the age of the oceanic crusts and the continental crusts within the south American plate. Are there presence of hotspots on the plate? What is the process that is responsible for the change in area of the South American plate?

Purchase this Solution
Solution Summary

Addresses rates of sea-floor spreading as pertains to South America & hotspots thereon.

Solution Preview

OK, the quick answer is, is that the S Am plate is of differing age due to plate tectonics. That is, when the Pangaea supercontinent broke apart 190 million years ago, the Atlantic Ocean started to "become." As such, the continental part of the S Am plate was extant before the oceanic portion even existed. The growth along the mid-Atlantic ridge system [caused by sea-floor spreading] continues to add real estate along the eastern edge of this plate even now. The rate of increase .. the mid Atlantic ridge is spreading at about ...

Purchase this Solution
Free BrainMass Quizzes
"Tornadoes and Hurricanes" Vocabulary

Brief introduction to vocabulary terms related to the atmosphere. Definitions are related to conditions for tornadoes and hurricanes.

Geography Points of Interest

Brief query of points of interest in the world. For example, choosing the largest body of water from 3 choices.

Gems, Fossils, and Space Rocks

Brief introduction to basic information related to gems, fossils, and space rocks. Great for introducing a science unit to students!

Structure of the Earth

Basic introduction to terms related to the structure of the Earth, including definitions and application of knowledge. This quiz focuses on the spheres.

Environmental Laws

The quiz tests some basic US environmental laws and policies.

View More Free Quizzes
Related BrainMass Solutions

  • Sumatra and Plate Tectonics

    348224 Relationship of plate tectonics on earthquakes, volcanoes and mountain building 1. Please explain the relationship of plate tectonics to earthquakes and explain how plate tectonics have impacted the Sumatra 2004 and 2005 earthquake. 2.

  • Polar Region Land Features: Plate Tectonics

    592641 Polar Region Land Features: Plate Tectonics Please help in describing how the polar region was formed according to the theory of plate tectonics. Explain the theory of plate tectonics.

  • Wegener's Theory of Plate Tectonics

    Successful testing and widespread acceptance elevates plate tectonics from a hypothesis to a theory. Source: Wegener, A. (1966). "The origin of continents and oceans." New York, Dover. HAVE A GREAT DAY AND THANK YOU FOR USING BRAINMASS!

  • Explanation for fossils in Ural Mountains

    217305 Plate Tectonics How does the plate tectonics theory help explain the existence of fossil marine life in rocks atop the Ural Mountains? Plate tectonics describes continental movement across the surface of the planet.

  • Continental Drift

    Plate tectonics, instead of continental drift has been rigorously tested. Geologists accepts these tests and verification for plate tectonics, turning the hypothesis into a theory.

  • What would happen to plate tectonics if magnetic field gone?

    Plate tectonics is (again, most likely) driven by a few processes, the most important being large and small scale convection currents in the mantle. These convection currents drive the plate motion.

  • Hot Spots, Mantle Plumes, and Plate Tectonics

    9992 Hot Spots, Mantle Plumes, and Plate Tectonics What are Hot Spots and Mantle Plumes and how do these concepts relate to Plate Tectonics? 1. What are Hot Spots and Mantle Plumes and how do these concepts relate to Plate Tectonics?

  • Atmospheric Circulation

    Important influences on wind patterns come plate tectonics and the changing of the earth's surface.

  • Tectonic theory, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions

    What would Alfred Wegener say about the Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004 and Mt. Vesuvius recurring eruptions in Vesuvius, Italy? Wegener was a climatologist and geophysicist who, in 1915, suggested that continental drift and plate tectonics.

View More Related Solutions