Chapter 17: Problem 8

How did Greenland become separated from North America?

Short Answer

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Greenland became separated from North America due to the process of plate tectonics, specifically the existence of the mid-Atlantic ridge. The ridge, a massive underwater mountain range, is a divergent boundary between the North American plate and the Eurasian plate. Over millions of years, seafloor spreading, caused by upwelling magma from the mantle solidifying into new crust, has caused Greenland to gradually separate from the main part of the North American plate. The ongoing divergence of the North American and Eurasian plates continues to widen the North Atlantic Ocean, slowly increasing the distance between Greenland and North America over geologic time.

Step by step solution

Understand the geographical position of Greenland and North America

Greenland is an island located in the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Canada and northwest of Iceland. It is part of the North American tectonic plate but is politically and historically associated with Europe, especially Denmark.

Learn about plate tectonics

Plate tectonics is the theory that explains how the Earth's outer shell, known as the lithosphere, is divided into several large plates that move over the underlying, more fluid asthenosphere. These plates can move in different directions, causing the continents and ocean basins to also change position over time.

Identify the mid-Atlantic ridge

The mid-Atlantic ridge is a massive underwater mountain range that runs from the Arctic Ocean to near the southern tip of Africa, essentially bisecting the Atlantic Ocean. It is a divergent boundary, which means that the tectonic plates on either side of the ridge are moving apart from each other.

Understand the role of the mid-Atlantic ridge in the separation of Greenland and North America

The mid-Atlantic ridge is situated between the North American plate and the Eurasian plate. As these plates move apart, new seafloor is created due to the upwelling of magma from the mantle, which solidifies and forms new crust. This process is known as seafloor spreading. Over millions of years, it has caused Greenland to gradually separate from the main part of the North American plate.

Explain the impact of plate tectonics on Greenland's separation from North America

As a result of plate tectonics, the motion of the North American plate and the Eurasian plate has caused a widening of the North Atlantic Ocean. This widening has been occurring for millions of years and has led to the separation of Greenland from the main part of the North American Plate, which includes Canada and the United States. The ongoing divergence of these plates continues to increase the distance between Greenland and North America, albeit very slowly, over geologic time.

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How did Greenland become separated from North America?

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Understand the geographical position of Greenland and North America

Learn about plate tectonics

Identify the mid-Atlantic ridge

Understand the role of the mid-Atlantic ridge in the separation of Greenland and North America

Explain the impact of plate tectonics on Greenland's separation from North America

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