Download Geography 12

Chapter 6 Objectives:
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Geography 12
Worksheet 6.4
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Transform Fault Boundaries: Plates Sliding Past One
Another
Read pages 97 – 102 of Planet Earth: A Physical Geography. Answer
the following questions:
Vocabulary (1 mark each)
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Transform Faults:
A fault formed by the horizontal movement of the earth’s crust,
occurring where two plates are sliding past one another
Normal Faults:
A fault resulting from the upward movement on one side of a fault line
and/or the downward movement on the other, forming a cliff or fault
scarp
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Reverse Faults:
A fault where one block of the earth’s crust moves upward against
another
Appreciate the power and
scope of tectonic processes
and their effects
Appreciate the slowness of
tectonic processes based on
a human time scale
Understand that the
lithosphere is an everchanging part of a dynamic
planet
Understand the general
pattern of tectonic activity
over geologic time and
explain the location
pattern of tectonic activity
over the earth’s surface
Explain the tectonic
processes that shape the
earth’s surface, including
folding, faulting, and
volcanic activity
Describe and explain the
pattern of major surface
features created by tectonic
processes
Predict the nature and
general patterns of
occurrence of tectonic
activities and processes,
especially earthquakes and
volcanic eruptions
Describe the positive and
negative aspects of tectonic
activities
Fault Scarps:
The often straight, continuous cliff created by the uplift of the earth’s crust along a
fault line
Strike-slip Faults:
A fault where two sections of the earth’s crust move almost horizontally past each
other
Horst or Block Mountains:
A steep-sided mountain formed where a block of the earth’s crust has been squeezed
upward between two parallel fault lines; also known as a block mountain
Tilted Block Mountain:
A mountain formed where a block of the earth’s crust moves upward at an angle
between two parallel fault lines
Short Answer (2 marks each)
1. What causes the narrow valleys along a fault line?
As the plates slide past one another, the pressures shatter the rocks along the fault
line. The shattered rocks are eroded to create the valley.
2. What is fault creep?
Short movements along the fault that gradually release pressure. This creep an release
of pressure means earthquakes are lower in magnitude and less destructive.
3. Explain what it means when the plates are locked. What is the result then?
Where the rock surfaces are rough, the plates get stuck on each other. The pressure
continues to build up eventually to be released as an earthquake. The longer the
pressure builds, the stronger and more destructive the earthquake.
4. Explain why the San Andreas Fault in California is worrisome to many people.
Over 15 million people live in the area and since the fault is locked, scientists predict
an earthquake that may cause much destruction.
5. How do laser sensors, seismographs and strain gauges help scientists detect and
predict earthquakes?
By measuring the movement of the earth they can determine if the fault plates are
locked or creeping steadily and also measure the amount of movement of the plates.
This will help them generate their predictions.