Tuesday, April 5, 2011

First to INDONESIA

Wow! its amazing here in Indonesia! the water is beautiful and the views are amazing! (http://indonesianartandculture.com/senggigi-beach-a-very-beautiful-place-to-visit)
This is the view out of my hotel. Jealous huh! this might be a relaxing vacation for some people, but i wouldn't even be here if it was a beach vacation. not my thing. I am currently exactly,at these coordinates
Latitude: 0°48'8.67"S

Longitude: 110°43'26.13"E 
But fortunately, the real splendor of this place is in the  plate tectonics going on under my very feet. As you can clearly see in the picture below me, 
(http://www.andaman.org/mapstsunami/tsunami.htm)
The Indonesian islands are located to the right of a very important plate rift.
the islands are located near the subduction boundary, as chains of volcanic islands do. when one ocianic plate is moving under another, some of the magma is forced up and forms volcanic island arcs. Another feature that can clue in geologists like you and me to subduction is when there is a deep sea trench along the ocean floor.

To explain the basics of subduction, it is when two plates converge with another. When two oceanic plates converge the one leaning on top of the other forms a chain of volcanic islands. while the one going underneath forms a deep sea ridge. If a oceanic plate converges with a continental plate, the more dense land plate will force the other oceanic plate under and a deep sea trench will form on that plate, while a mountain chain with volcanoes will form on the continental plate.
  (http://www.platetectonics.com/book/page_12.asp)
Happy learning everybody!! im sure you are all so excited for my next stop!!
where will i be next?? stay tuned!
Keep smart!!

6 comments:

  1. WOW! Excuse me while I pick my jaw up off of the floor, because your blog is FAB-U-LOUS! I learned all about convergent plates, and subduction and let me say, the visuals were quite helpful. From your loyal geologist. Isabella.

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