The Hills Are Alive

Plate Tectonics is a scientific theory which study how the Earth’s plates are driven and shaped by geological forces to keep them in constant movement. The theory explains the present-day tectonic behavior of the Earth, particularly the global distribution of mountain building, earthquake activity, and volcanism in a series of linear belt. (Pitman, W.C., 2007)

Geomorphology – Is the area of Geology that studies the form of the land, processes, and forms (Earth and other planets). The landscape of a Tundra or of a Dessert, or Glaciers now to disappear. This discipline takes a good look at Tsunamis, floods, volcanic eruptions, anything that can make the landscape change or disappear.

water fractures within the earth. Causing certain areas of the land to have an earthquake effect

Initially, earthquakes shape the Earth’s surface by creating mountains and geysers. In the article “Historic Earthquakes,” it reads, “High intensities were observed in the northwest section of Yellowstone National Park. Here, new geysers erupted, and massive slumping caused large cracks in the ground from which steam emitted” (Stover 3). Consequently, when the geo-process of earthquakes occurs, it molds and changes the earth by creating new geothermal

A hazard is an event that threatens to cause death, injury, property damage, socio economic disruption and environmental degradation.

It says in Source 1: “If you Traveled to Gondwana…”, when two continental plates meet volcanoes erupt and mountains can form. When a volcano erupts the lava destroys everything in its path and completely destroys the environment. The lava kills off our oxygen producers and the ash and smoke goes into the atmosphere causing these harmful gases to reach our atmosphere and eventually can lead to global warming. If a mountain were to form after an earthquake it would change the format of the land. I read in Source 3: “Loma Prieta Earthquake”, “Unfortunately this part of

Earthquakes are caused when two blocks of earth suddenly slip past one another. The surface where the two blocks slip is called the fault. The earthquake starts below the earth’s surface at the hypocenter, and the location above the hypocenter is called the epicenter. Earthquakes can have foreshocks which is a smaller earthquake that happens before the larger quake. Earthquake can also

Imagine if a 9.0 earthquake struck the West Coast today, resulting in a giant tsunami. Coastal towns would be washed away or completely isolated, and electricity would be lost (FOX5). There would be $70 billion in damage and people would only have 15 minutest to evacuate or move to higher ground resulting in 10,000 deaths (FOX5). This sounds like a plot for a scary movie, but this is actually a reality. The Oregon Coast in located on a subduction zone, which makes it very susceptible to major earthquakes and tsunamis. With the Cascadia subduction zone running along he West Coast the threat of a major tsunami is very real.

Scientists have projected possible tsunami scenarios for coastal Oregon and Washington, based on the human impact of the 2004 Sumatra and 2011 Japan tsunami. An earthquake along the Cascadia subduction zone could be as large as the one that hit Japan lastMarch, and the tsunami could reach the coast in 20 minutes (National Geographic Society [NGS], 1996). The tsunami could create a massive catastrophe killing over 10,000 people during the summer since the evacuation centers are sparse and some people have lower access to high ground (NGS, 1996). For instance, a resort town named Ocean Shores lies on a low-ground narrow peninsula and 5,500 people live there year-round (NGS, 1996). According to the National Geography Society (1996), a catastrophic

For millions of years the Earth has experienced geologic catastrophes. Since the existence of Theia itself, the Earth’s crust has been formed, deformed, and even demolished. The crust has never been a completed masterpiece due to this. Why is this? The most recent physical changes were caused by the theory of plate tectonics and earth’s crust displacement. Plate tectonics and its movement resulted in our continents drifting across the earth’s surface, and the creation of mountain belts, volcanoes, and the faults of today’s Earth.

Tectonic activity varies due to geographical location and position of tectonic plate boundaries. The Earth's crust is made up of continental and oceanic plates, which move across the surface of the planet, meeting at plate boundaries. Plate tectonics cause volcanic activity, tsunamis and

One example is the location of Ecuador’s capital, Quito. Quito lies on a fault line. When these fault lines are displaced it is similar to a domino effect and can create breaks in other parts of the tectonic plates. Tectonic plates are gigantic, irregular in size and shape, chunks of rock that lie beneath earth’s surface. The movement of these plates and the buildup over time results in the earthquakes we hear about. Also,

     An Earthquake is the shaking of the earth's surface caused by rapid movement of the earth's rocky outer layer. The sudden shaking of the ground that occurs when masses of rock change position below the Earth's surface is called an earthquake. The shifting masses send out shock waves that may be powerful enough to alter the surface of the Earth, thrusting up cliffs and opening great cracks in the ground.

A tsunami is a series of huge waves occurring when there is a major disturbance on the ocean floor. Tsunamis often occur due to earthquakes, volcanoes, or landslides (Park 16). Underwater earthquakes may produce waves that travel in all different directions. Some tsunamis lose power and die out under water, others may produce large waves as they approach land. Tsunamis may look like an onrushing tidal wave as they approach land, but do not occur because of tides (Park 6). Their walls of water can move across the open ocean at speeds of up to 560 miles per hour. When the waves hit the coast, they can reach up to 100 feet (Park 5). The tsunami in Japan is believed to have occurred after two of Earth’s tectonic plates collided in the

Tsunamis are some of the most destructive naturally occurring phenomenon in the world. Tsunami refers to a massive ocean wave caused by natural forces such as volcanic eruptions, landslides and underground earth quakes. A large percentage of Tsunamis occur in areas of massive volcanic activities and places with intense earthquake. Thus, Tsunamis are more likely to occur at the bottom of the ocean where there is massive volcanic activities. Although most people mistake tsunamis for tidal waves, the difference between the two is very clear. The differences between the two are in terms of their causes, their magnitude of occurrence, as well as their frequency. A tsunami is extremely destructive and can lead to loss of property, loss of lives, environmental impacts, and even diseases.