1. How and why do hot spots provide important evidence regarding the rate and di
ID: 152875 • Letter: 1
Question
1. How and why do hot spots provide important evidence regarding the rate and direction of plate motion?
2. List the series of five additional stages of the Wilson cycle after the initial stage (Stage 1) of continental uplift and crustal rifting in correct order. Identify the characteristic of each subsequent stage that corresponds with the order of tectonic processes within the Wilson cycle.
(List these in correct order)
Convergence with recycling of the ocean crust by subduction and continuing volanicism (e.g. Pacific Coast of Japan)
Continential collision and moutain formation following subduction of the entire ocean (e.g. Tibetan Plateau)
Expansion and continental margins (e.g. North Atlantic)
Divergence and spreading forming ocean crust (e.g. East Africa)
Initiation of subduction forming volcanic arc (e.g. West Coast of S. America)
Explanation / Answer
1. Hotspot are regions on the Earth where intra plate volcanism takes place. The mantle plumes are being fed by the mantle. They leave trails of their movement backward as they progress ahead.
2. Wilson cycle is the cycle of processes that deals with the opening and closing of the ocean basins.
The steps are:
a) the expansion of the basins takes place and continental margins e.g North Atlantic
b) divergence and spreading of the ocean basin e.g East Africa
c) convergence with recycling of the oceanic crust by subduction and continuing e.g Pacific Coast of Japan
d) initiation of subduction forming volcanic arc e.g west coast of South America
e) continental collision and mountain formation following subduction of the entire ocean e.g Tibet Plateau
After all these, the stability prevails.
Wilson cycle starts with continental rifting and formation of ocean basins, followed by the subduction and after closing of the ocean basin, mountain formation takes place.
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