Author Question: Explain the most widely accepted hypothesis behind the formation of the Basin and Range Province. ... (Read 56 times)

jilianpiloj

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 521
Explain the most widely accepted hypothesis behind the formation of the Basin and Range Province. When was this process supposed to be occurring?
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

How can plate tectonics help explain the existence of fossil marine organisms in rocks found on top of compressional mountains?
 
  What will be an ideal response?



blakeserpa

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 338
Answer to Question 1

Answer: Approximately 30 million years ago, the west coast of North America was a convergent plate boundary as the Plate subducted beneath the North America Plate. This process generated a great deal of compressional stress. However, that pressure lessened starting 25 million years ago, when subduction ceased and the spreading center separating the Farallon and Pacific Plates began to subduct beneath North America. The result was the San Andreas Fault, a transform boundary. Due to the northwestward motion of the Pacific Plate, the North American Plate began to experience tensional stress. (See Sec. 14.5 in Ch. 14.)
Diff: 3

Answer to Question 2

Answer: When two landmasses collide, rocks that are located between them will get compressed. The result is shortening and thickening of the crust, forcing the rocks upward. If the rocks in question happen to be a fossiliferous limestone from a shallow marine shelf, then the rocks at the top of the mountains would be those that formed in the sea.



Related Topics

Need homework help now?

Ask unlimited questions for free

Ask a Question
 

Did you know?

Fewer than 10% of babies are born on their exact due dates, 50% are born within 1 week of the due date, and 90% are born within 2 weeks of the date.

Did you know?

In most cases, kidneys can recover from almost complete loss of function, such as in acute kidney (renal) failure.

Did you know?

The most common treatment options for addiction include psychotherapy, support groups, and individual counseling.

Did you know?

The cure for trichomoniasis is easy as long as the patient does not drink alcoholic beverages for 24 hours. Just a single dose of medication is needed to rid the body of the disease. However, without proper precautions, an individual may contract the disease repeatedly. In fact, most people develop trichomoniasis again within three months of their last treatment.

Did you know?

A strange skin disease referred to as Morgellons has occurred in the southern United States and in California. Symptoms include slowly healing sores, joint pain, persistent fatigue, and a sensation of things crawling through the skin. Another symptom is strange-looking, threadlike extrusions coming out of the skin.

For a complete list of videos, visit our video library