What are the characteristics common to both regions (Central and Eastern)?
Most of Central and Eastern America is located far from a tectonic plate boundary, with the nearest one being in the Atlantic Ocean. As a result, the crust in these two regions is older, colder, more stable, and thicker than that in other regions. Besides, The Central and Eastern US is located thousands of miles away from an active plate boundary, which results in low deformation rates in this region.
How do those common characteristics differ from Western North America?
In Western North America, sections of the tectonic plate are offshore while other parts are on land. This plate tectonic setting and geologic conditions in the region cause the region to have a relatively thin crust with high heat flow, and both of these greatly favor active faulting and fairly high deformation rates.
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Identify and discuss one characteristic unique to each region (Central and Eastern America)
Central America is a region that is highly active geologically, and earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are very frequent while tsunamis are occasional. Most of this region is located on top of the Caribbean plate, which converges with other plates to form the Middle American Trench. The seismic activity of the Middle American Trench is a cause of many large earthquakes experienced in the area. Another major source of seismic activity in Central America is the Cayman Trough, which is a section of the tectonic boundary existing between the Caribbean plate and the North American plate. These bodies are greatly responsible for the active seismic activity experienced in Central America.
Compared to California, which is located on the Western corner of the North American Plate next to the very seismically active San Andreas Fault; the Eastern region of the United States is situated on a section of the North American tectonic plate, which has remained fairly passive over the past geologic times. While the rates of earthquakes experienced in this Eastern region is lower than that experienced in the Western region, earthquakes are not an uncommon occurrence.
Choose one image that illustrates one of the characteristics that might make Central or Eastern North American earthquakes unique from Western North American earthquakes. Two things here: 1) the image cannot be your own, and; 2) the image must be from the Central or Eastern region (there are several). Save the image, upload it to your Canvas Files area, and include it in your post. Briefly discuss how the image you choose illustrates one of the characteristics.
Earthquakes are believed to occur mostly along fault lines, for instance, the Californian San Andreas Fault, where there is excessive scraping of the edges of the earth’s tectonic plates and edges against each other. This scraping and shaking produce energy that is enough to shake the ground.
A few spots located within the Western North American tectonic plate, as seen in the map attached feature extreme earthquake activity frequently. On the other hand, earthquakes are more common in the regions in Central or Eastern North American. According to geologists, these regions have experienced earthquakes with a magnitude greater than 7. Some of the regions in Canada and Eastern US registered three earthquakes of magnitude seven within a span of one year (November 1811 to February 1812).
References
Scientific Overview of the M5.8 Earthquake in Central Virginia on August 23, 2011 . (2018). Earthquake.usgs.gov . Retrieved 5 April 2018, from https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/events/2011virginia/overview.php
Where are the fault lines in the Eastern United States (east of the Rocky Mountains)? . (2018). Usgs.gov . Retrieved 5 April 2018, from https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/where-are-fault-lines-eastern-united-states-east-rocky-mountains?qt-news_science_products=7#qt-news_science_products
Why are there so many earthquakes and faults in the Western United States? . (2018). Usgs.gov . Retrieved 5 April 2018, from https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/why-are-there-so-many-earthquakes-and-faults-western-united-states?qt-news_science_products=7#qt-news_science_products
Why the Eastern US has Fewer Earthquakes than the Western US . (2018). Accuweather.com . Retrieved 5 April 2018, from https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/why-the-eastern-us-has-fewer-e/509496
