Question

The North American Plate is moving west at a rate of approximately 20 mm/yr. How long will it take for New York to move 10° longitude west of its current position? (Assume 110 km/°longitude at New York's latitude.)

Answer 1

Answer:

55000000 years

Explanation:

Rate of North American Plate moving (Velocity) = 20 mm/yr

Degrees New York has to move = 10° west

New York's longitude = 110 km/°

Distance of New York = 110×10 = 1100 km

= 1100×10⁶ mm

$\text {Time taken by the continental plate}=\frac {\text {Distance of New York}}{\text {Rate of North American Plate moving (Velocity)}}\\\Rightarrow \text {Time taken by the continental plate}=\frac{1100\times 10^6}{20}\\\Rightarrow \text {Time taken by the continental plate}=55\times 10^6\ years$

∴ Time taken by New York to move 10° west is 55000000 years