Problem 3
Some predict that California will eventually sink into the ocean. Is this idea consistent with the theory of plate tectonics? Explain.
Problem 5
Volcanoes that form over mantle plumes such as the Hawaiian chain are some of the largest on Earth. However, several volcanoes on Mars are gigantic compared to those on Earth. What does this difference tell us about how, or if, plate tectonics operates on Mars? Explain.
Problem 6
Imagine you are studying seafloor spreading along two different oceanic ridges. Along the first ridge the magnetic stripes are uniformly narrow. Along the second ridge they are wide near the ridge crest, but they become narrower as you move away from the crest. What can you say about the history of motion in each example?
Problem 9
Density is a key component in the behavior of Earth materials and is especially important in understanding key aspects of plate tectonics. Describe three ways that density and/or density differences play a role in plate tectonics.
