Plate TectonicsProblem/HypothesisProcedureResultsConclusions & CriticismsPlate TectonicsPlate Tectonics• Distribution of the Pacific / North America motion in Distribution of the Pacific / North America motion in the Queen Charlotte Islands – S. Alaska plate the Queen Charlotte Islands – S. Alaska plate boundary zoneboundary zone• Paper by S. Mazzotti, R.D. Hyndmann, P. Fluck, A.J. Paper by S. Mazzotti, R.D. Hyndmann, P. Fluck, A.J. Smith and M. Schmidt. 2003. Geophysical Research Smith and M. Schmidt. 2003. Geophysical Research Letters, 40(13): 1-4.Letters, 40(13): 1-4.•Presented by Emily Snow, Peace War and Defense, Presented by Emily Snow, Peace War and Defense, GEOG 370, 26 February 2008GEOG 370, 26 February 2008Problem/HypothesisProblem/Hypothesis•Problem: How to measure the scope of Problem: How to measure the scope of deformation as it relates to the North deformation as it relates to the North American and Pacific crustal plates.American and Pacific crustal plates.•Hypothesis: GPS may be able to measure Hypothesis: GPS may be able to measure the movement of the crustal plates and the the movement of the crustal plates and the scope of deformation.scope of deformation.ProcedureProcedure•Site: Queen Charlotte Islands the South Site: Queen Charlotte Islands the South Alaska.Alaska.•Permanent and temporary GPS sites were Permanent and temporary GPS sites were set up in these areas.set up in these areas.•My measuring distances in regular time My measuring distances in regular time intervals, changes in distances could be intervals, changes in distances could be calculated.calculated.ResultsResults•The crustal plates move about 6-7 mm/yr The crustal plates move about 6-7 mm/yr on average.on average.•There may be significant variation There may be significant variation depending on location.depending on location.•Deformation expands over hundreds of Deformation expands over hundreds of kilometers.kilometers.Conclusions & CriticismsConclusions & Criticisms•Movement and deformation may seem Movement and deformation may seem minimal, but more study may reveal minimal, but more study may reveal possible consequences over time.possible consequences over time.•Definite limitations due to the following:Definite limitations due to the following:•Number & Location of SitesNumber & Location of Sites•Optimal LocationsOptimal Locations•Clustering v. SpreadClustering v. Spread•Time IntervalTime Interval•SubdivisionsSubdivisions•Length of studyLength of
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