Who Moved The Plate?

Who moved the plate? I’m sure that was a question that Alfred Wegener asked himself plenty of time while attempting to prove his Continental Drift theory. Well let’s determine why the plates move? Tectonic plates move because of the convection currents of the Earth, which are caused by heat cycles in the mantle, the fluid layer beneath the Earth's crust. At the bottom of the mantle, the fluid gets extremely hot due to its proximity to the core. The hot liquid rises to the top of the mantle, where it then cools. Once it cools, it returns to the bottom, completing the cycle. This movement creates what is known as convection currents, which causes the tectonic plates to move. (Oracle ThinkQuest-Plate Tectonics). When the plates run, collide, or separate due to the release of stress can cause earthquakes to occur with variable size magnitudes. Volcanoes are also a result of tectonic plates moving. When the oceanic plate and a continental plate push together and down it melts and forms the magma. Once the magma rises it pushes out the continental plate and this is how a volcano is formed. 

California alone has suffered from earthquake destruction, but how does one prepare and build a resilient community when the entire state is sitting on two different tectonic plates, and a giant fault line spread along the southern coastline.

Steps to building a resilient community in an earthquake prone area

1.      Research and Study your area-Determine what type of seismic zone you live in according to past movement or from current monitors

2.      Avoid living in areas that are Earthquake prone

3.      Build infrastructures sturdy and follow building codes that are related to these type of tectonic disasters-Ensure that foundation is anchored to the house

4.      Move water and gas lines out of harm way, a person may want to switch over to flexible pipe in order to prevent possible fires-Profession Assistance only

5.      Brace items in house down to avoid movement

6.      Find a safe spot in an area under a sturdy table or next to an inside wall

7.      Hold Earthquake drills with your family and community

Volcanoes in the United States are limited to places such as Alaska, Hawaii, and along the Pacific Northwest area. Volcanoes are known to have between a 20 to 100 mile radius or more of lava flow after an eruption. Communities in these areas should also prepare for this type of tectonic disasters.

Steps to building a resilient community in a volcano prone area

1.      Research and Study your area- Avoid living in areas that are Volcano prone

2.      Know safety areas in your community that you could report to in case an eruption does occur.

3.      Build a supply kit that includes non-perishable food, water, a battery-powered or hand-   crank radio, extra flashlights, batteries, goggles, and gas mask.- IF, you have to evacuate please have this stuff located in your automobile.

4.      Be aware of mudflows, river valleys, and low-lying areas.

5.      Remember to assist your neighbors who are elderly, children, handicap to safety if needed.

Following these safety measures and sharing them with your community, family, and friends could save lives. LIVE RESILIENT!!!

Works Cited

FEMA. (n.d.). Retrieved from FEMA: http://www.ready.gov/volcanoes

Oracle ThinkQuest-Plate Tectonics. (n.d.). Retrieved from Oracle ThinkQuest: http://library.thinkquest.org/03oct/00758/text-only/disaster/earthquake/tectonics.html

Image:http://skywalker.cochise.edu/wellerr/students/earthquakes4/project_files/image008.jpg