Gorda Plate: Difference between revisions
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The '''Gorda Plate''' |
The '''Gorda Plate''', located beneath the [[Pacific Ocean]] off the coast of northern [[California]], is one of the northern remnants of the [[Farallon Plate]]. It is sometimes referred to (by, for example, publications from the [[USGS]] Earthquake Hazards Program [http://neic.usgs.gov/neis/eq_depot/2005/eq_050617/neic_zkal_ts.html]) as simply the southernmost portion of the neighboring [[Juan de Fuca Plate]], another Farallon remnant. |
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Unlike most tectonic plates, the Gorda Plate experiences significant deformation inside its boundaries. Stresses from the neighboring [[North American Plate]] and [[Pacific Plate]] cause frequent earthquakes in the interior of the plate, including the 1980 M7.2 Trinidad earthquake which caused $1.75 million in damages [http://www.humboldt.edu/~geodept/earthquakes/recent_eqks.html]. |
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The easterly side is a [[convergent boundary]] subducting under the [[North American Plate]] in northern California. The southerly side is a [[transform boundary]] with the [[Pacific Plate]] along an extension of the [[San Andreas Fault]]. The westerly side is a [[divergent boundary]] with the Pacific Plate forming the [[Gorda Ridge]]. The northerly side is a [[transform boundary]] with the Juan de Fuca Plate. |
The easterly side is a [[convergent boundary]] subducting under the [[North American Plate]] in northern California. The southerly side is a [[transform boundary]] with the [[Pacific Plate]] along an extension of the [[San Andreas Fault]]. The westerly side is a [[divergent boundary]] with the Pacific Plate forming the [[Gorda Ridge]]. The northerly side is a [[transform boundary]] with the Juan de Fuca Plate. |
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The subducting Gorda Plate is connected with the [[volcanoes]] in northern California, namely, [[Mount Shasta]] and [[Lassen Peak]]. Lassen Peak erupted in 1911. |
The subducting Gorda Plate is connected with the [[volcanoes]] in northern California, namely, [[Mount Shasta]] and [[Lassen Peak]]. Lassen Peak erupted in 1911. |
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== External Links == |
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The Gorda Plate and the Juan de Fuca Plate, are the last remaining fragments of the [[Farallon Plate]], along with the [[Cocos Plate]] and [[Nazca Plate]]. |
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*[http://pubs.usgs.gov/publications/text/understanding.html USGS - Understanding plate motions] |
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*[http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/operations/obs/rmobs_pub/html/mendocino.html - Mendocino Triple Junction Offshore Northern California] |
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*[http://www.humboldt.edu/~geodept/earthquakes/recent_eqks.html Recent North Coast Earthquakes] |
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[[Category:Plate tectonics]] |
[[Category:Plate tectonics]] |
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Revision as of 08:00, 31 March 2006
The Gorda Plate, located beneath the Pacific Ocean off the coast of northern California, is one of the northern remnants of the Farallon Plate. It is sometimes referred to (by, for example, publications from the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program [1]) as simply the southernmost portion of the neighboring Juan de Fuca Plate, another Farallon remnant.
Unlike most tectonic plates, the Gorda Plate experiences significant deformation inside its boundaries. Stresses from the neighboring North American Plate and Pacific Plate cause frequent earthquakes in the interior of the plate, including the 1980 M7.2 Trinidad earthquake which caused $1.75 million in damages [2].
The easterly side is a convergent boundary subducting under the North American Plate in northern California. The southerly side is a transform boundary with the Pacific Plate along an extension of the San Andreas Fault. The westerly side is a divergent boundary with the Pacific Plate forming the Gorda Ridge. The northerly side is a transform boundary with the Juan de Fuca Plate.
The subducting Gorda Plate is connected with the volcanoes in northern California, namely, Mount Shasta and Lassen Peak. Lassen Peak erupted in 1911.