Why is plate tectonics critical to the maintenance of an atmosphere-ocean reservoir rich in carbon?
What will be an ideal response?
Plate tectonics carries carbonate-covered oceanic lithosphere into subduction zones, where the material is heated, releasing CO2 to magmas that can rise to the surface and erupt, returning CO2 to the atmosphere. This closes the carbonate-silicate cycle, and prevents an irreversible loss of carbon from the surface system associated with weathering and carbonate sediment deposition.
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Mexico City's main plaza (zocolo) sits atop the ________
A) tombs of Spain's monarchs B) Aztecs' holiest temples C) gold stolen from Aztec priests in the colonial period D) skeletons of thousands of Aztecs killed during the colonial period.
The San Andreas system in California is an example of a
A) strike-slip fault. B) transform fault. C) thrust fault. D) both a strike-slip and transform fault.
Which of the following statements is true?
A) Carbon tetrachloride, CCl4 was once widely used as a degreasing solvent. B) Carbon tetrachloride, CCl4 is both toxic and carcinogenic. C) Dichloromethane CH2Cl2 is currently a widely used organic solvent. D) All three statements are true.
Which of the following hazards present in Hawai'i poses the greatest risk to human life?
A) Volcanoes B) Flooding C) Tornados D) Kona Storms E) Tsunamis