Torres_Brandon_Activity 5A
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California State University, Long Beach *
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Course
100
Subject
Geography
Date
Dec 6, 2023
Type
Pages
2
Uploaded by BrigadierRaven3605
Name: _______________________
Activity 5A
1
Activity 5A: Plate Motion and Evidence
One of the most striking things about the geography of the continents today is how they appear
to fit together like puzzle pieces. The reason for this is clear: they once were connected in the
past and have since separated shifting into their current positions.
Open the
browser version of Google Earth
and zoom out to an eye altitude (camera) of ~10,000
miles. Examine the coastlines of eastern South America and Western Africa and notice how well
they match in shape. There are scientifically important rock deposits in southern Brazil, South
America and Angola, Africa that show the northernmost glacial deposits on the ancient
continent of
Pangaea
, which indicates these two areas were once connected.
1.
Based on the shape of the two coastlines, give the present-day latitude and longitude of
two sites along the coasts of these countries that used to be connected when the two
continents were joined as a part of Pangaea (note: there are multiple correct answers):
a.
Brazil:
i.
Latitude:
ii.
Longitude:
b.
Angola
i.
Latitude:
ii.
Longitude:
2.
Measure in centimeters the distance (Map Length) between the two points you
recorded in the previous question.
Hint: use the ruler icon along the left-hand toolbar.
a.
Distance (in centimeters) =
3.
This portion of Pangaea broke apart 200,000,000 years ago. Using the distance you
measured above, calculate how fast (the rate) South America and Africa are separating
in cm/year. (
Hint: the formula to use here is Rate= Distance/Time
). SHOW YOUR WORK.
Name: _______________________
Activity 5A
2
Examine the Western Coast of South America, the Eastern Coast of Asia, and the Pacific Ocean.
If South America and Africa are separating and the Atlantic Ocean is growing, then the opposite
must be occurring on the other side of the earth (the Americas are getting closer to Asia and
the Pacific Ocean is shrinking). It begs the question, when will the next supercontinent form? To
determine this, we need a bit more information.
4.
Measure the distance between North America and Mainland Asia in centimeters? (
Hint:
measure across the Pacific at 40° N latitude, between Northern California and North
Korea
)
a.
Distance (in centimeters) =
?
5.
Using the distance above, and the rate calculated in question 3, determine the time it
will take to develop a new supercontinent. (
Hint: the formula Rate= Distance/Time, can
be reworked to Time = Distance/Rate
). SHOW YOUR WORK.
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