United States Tectonic Plates Quiz
North American Plate, Pacific Plate interactions, faults (10 questions).
United States Tectonic Plates Quiz: Quick Study Notes
The United States sits primarily on the North American Plate, but its geology is defined by complex interactions with the Pacific, Juan de Fuca, and Caribbean plates. From the San Andreas Fault to the volcanoes of the Pacific Northwest, tectonic forces shape the landscape.
Key Takeaways
- The San Andreas Fault is a transform boundary separating the Pacific and North American plates.
- Los Angeles is located on the Pacific Plate, moving northwest relative to the rest of the US.
- The Cascadia Subduction Zone involves the Juan de Fuca Plate sinking beneath North America.
- Alaska experiences the highest frequency of large earthquakes due to plate convergence.
- The Basin and Range Province is an example of crustal extension and stretching.
- Puerto Rico lies near a complex boundary with the Caribbean Plate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What two plates meet at the San Andreas Fault?
The San Andreas Fault is the boundary between the North American Plate and the Pacific Plate.
Is Hawaii on a tectonic plate boundary?
No, Hawaii is formed by a hotspot located in the middle of the Pacific Plate, far from plate boundaries.
Which plate is subducting under Washington and Oregon?
The small Juan de Fuca Plate is subducting beneath the North American Plate, creating the Cascade volcanoes.
Why does California have so many earthquakes?
California sits on the active boundary between the Pacific and North American plates, where stress accumulates and releases as earthquakes.
What plate covers most of the United States?
The vast majority of the continental United States is located on the North American Plate.
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