Gregory Loncaric 8261365

Jan. 31, 17
CVG 2107
Assignment 1
1. Section 1 - In this section, the continental crust is shifting due to diverging plates at the
spreading ocean ridge. When two plates collide, one subducts beneath, pushing the curst
upwards to form mountains.
Section 2 - Islands and volcanoes are found in the subduction zone. These are formed by
the melting of the plate that is subducting. Since new rock is formed by the change in
density, forcing magma to erupt, some rock must return to the core. The new rock is
formed and expands, forming new landscapes.
Section 3 - Also in the subduction zone, the lithosphere collapses downwards into the
earth creating deep trenches in the ocean.
Section 4 This is the section where there is a space in the crust due to the change in
density of the magma, causing a split in the ocean floor. New crust is created here as the
magma cools and pushes away the previous crust.

2. 2.1. There are two main types of seismic waves. The fist type is called a body wave,
which includes P waves and S waves. The second type is called a surface wave, which
include love waves and Raleigh waves.
2.2. The most dangerous seismic waves are surface waves, specifically the Raleigh
waves, which cause the largest damage to civil engineering structures.
2.3. Contact metamorphism occurs when the minerals and texture of a body of rock are
changed due to exposure to high pressure and extreme temperatures. This change usually
occurs when the rock is in contact or close to a body of intruding magma.
2.4. The epicenter is the point on the earths surface vertically above the focus of an
earthquake. The focus is where the movement in plates occurs.
2.5. Picture a) is an example of normal faulting, where the rocks on the hanging wall drop
down relative to rock across the fault, picture b) is an example of reverse and thrust
faulting, where the rocks on the hanging wall raise up relative to rocks across the fault,
and picture c) illustrates a strike-slip fault, where rocks slide laterally relative t the fault.
3. The geological mechanism that could lead to the collapse of the structure is a sinkhole.
The shallow cave is a result of the presence of high carbon dioxide in the groundwater,
which dissolves the limestone overtime due to the reaction between the carbon dioxide
and water, which produces acid water that dissociates the crystals inside the rock. If the
limestone dissolves for long enough, the cave that forms will be too large to support the
weight of its walls, causing the ceiling to collapse, or subside, causing a sinkhole.

4. Sensitive marine clay is a type of soil that consists of solid minerals and salt. This is a
cohesive material. However, if it comes into contact with water, it loses its strength as it
dissociates. This would cause the stability of civil engineering building built on top of
them to lower due to the decreased strength and cohesiveness in the clay. This soil was
originally found at the bottom of seas, mixed with the sea water, but glaciers pushed
through, kicking up the soil and leaving the salt water in the grains to evaporate. In
Ottawa and Quebec, these soils are present because of the displacement of the Champlain
sea caused by the movement of glaciers.