Tectonic Plates and Their Movement
The convergence of the Nazca Plate and the South American Plate (see Figure 5.12) explains the presence of the Andes Mountains along South America's west coast and why earthquakes are frequent in the region. The length of the arrows on the map indicates the speed the plate is moving. For example, the Nazca plate is moving quickly (80 to 100 mm per year) compared to many other plates.
Figure 5.12 Tectonic Plates and Their Movement.
Source: Hughrance, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tectonic_plates_boundary_types_%26_movement.png
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Last modified: Friday, April 7, 2023, 2:01 PM