Alexandra Anne Keith

Section 1: Plate Tectonics

Alexandra Keith

Section 1: Plate Tectonics

1.      How far apart are these two points on a map? 765 miles between Mt St Helens and Loma Prieta

2.     

3.      What are the tectonic boundaries for each of these two points? The San Andreas Fault line

4.      How could there possibly be a connection to these to catastrophic events even though they were completely different and nearly 10 years apart from each other? List reasons why there might be a connection and why there might not. There might be a connection with the plate tectonics moving and shifting and that can cause earthquakes. Both Mount Saint Helens and San Andreas fault (source of the Loma Prieta earthquake) sit on the Pacific Ring of Fire. San Andreas is a transform boundary with Mount Saint Helens sits on a convergent boundary.

5.       (mount St Helens) (Loma Prieta)

6.      Describe how these two events are different in regards to the human impact. Hint: Look for human settlement patterns in relation to each. Loma Prieta had more of a negative effect on human impact. Both disasters were very damaging. Loma Prieta forced thousands to be homeless and Mt St Helens destroyed a couple hundred homes and building.

7.      What is the most significant natural disaster that has occurred near where you live or that might occur in your region? The only disaster that has really occurred is small earthquakes. However, there is a big earthquake that is long overdue and will catastrophic when it hits.

8.      What are the factors that contribute to this hazard? The majority of Utah lives on a very dangerous fault (Wasatch front) on which when the earthquake strikes it will do a lot of damage.

9.      What can people in your region do to reduce their vulnerability to that hazard? Be prepared and have an emergency plan. Talk to your loved ones on what to do when a natural disaster occurs. They can also build buildings that are safer to earthquakes and won’t completely tumble down if an earthquake strikes.

Reflection: I didn’t really realize that fault lines can run hundreds and hundreds of miles. When I first started this assignment I just thought both catastrophes were in the state of Washington. It shocked me to see how long the San Andreas Fault actually goes.  The picture below shows only a portion of the fault line. It goes up for miles and miles.