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The actual age of the volcanic rock on Midway is about 27.7 million years. Suggest a reason why your answer for problem 3 above differs noticeably from this.

O The estimate of the mean distance between the two locations causes a difference in measurement.
O Perhaps the rate of plate motion has changed over the past few million years and/or the location of the hotspot has changed.
O Different hotspots in the past have created new islands that drifted with the plates.

asked
User Jake Ols
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1 Answer

3 votes

Answer:

HEYYY

The reason for the noticeable difference between the actual age of the volcanic rock on Midway (27.7 million years) and the previous answer could be attributed to a few possibilities:

Inaccurate dating methods: The previous answer might have relied on an imprecise or outdated dating technique that led to an incorrect estimation of the volcanic rock's age. Geological dating methods continue to evolve and improve, and new discoveries can sometimes revise previous estimates.

Limited information or research: The previous answer might have been based on limited available information or incomplete research about the volcanic rock on Midway. New findings, additional data, or an improved understanding of the geological context could have emerged since then, leading to a more accurate estimation.

Interpretation or calculation errors: Human error in interpretation or calculation could have led to an incorrect estimation of the volcanic rock's age in the previous answer. These errors can occur due to various factors, such as misinterpretation of data, faulty assumptions, or mathematical mistakes.

Updated geological understanding: The field of geology is constantly evolving, and new insights can lead to revised understandings of geological processes. It's possible that recent research or discoveries have provided a more accurate understanding of the volcanic activity on Midway, leading to the revised age estimate of 27.7 million years.

Sample variability: Volcanic rocks can vary in age even within a localized area due to multiple volcanic eruptions over time. The previous answer might have been based on a different sample or eruption event, resulting in a different age estimate from the actual age of the volcanic rock on Midway.

It's essential to consider that scientific knowledge is subject to refinement and revision as new data and research become available. Therefore, the previous answer might have been based on the information and understanding that was current at the time, but subsequent advancements have since provided a more accurate estimation of the volcanic rock's age on Midway.

The estimate of the mean distance between two locations can be influenced by factors such as changes in plate motion and the shifting location of hotspots over millions of years. These factors can introduce variations and affect the accuracy of distance measurements.

Plate tectonics involves the movement of Earth's lithospheric plates, which can change in speed and direction over geologic time. If the rate of plate motion has varied in the past, it can result in differences in the estimated distance between two locations. For example, if the plates were moving faster in the past, the distance between the locations would have increased at a different rate compared to the present.

Additionally, the location of hotspots, which are areas of upwelling magma within the Earth's mantle, can also change over time. Hotspots can create volcanic activity and form new islands or landmasses. As the plates move over these hotspots, the islands or landmasses can be carried along, resulting in their displacement from the original hotspot location. This movement can further contribute to variations in distance measurements between locations.

It's important to consider these dynamic geological processes and their long-term effects when estimating distances or studying the evolution of Earth's features. The geological history of an area, including plate motion and hotspot activities, plays a significant role in understanding the changes and variations observed in distances between locations over millions of years.

hey i hope this helps you !! :)

answered
User Jimy
by
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