Question

Measure the distance from the drop point in Brazil to the drop point in Angola. Use that number in your calculation. Given that this portion of Pangaea broke apart 200,000,000 years ago, calculate how fast South America and Africa are separating in cm/year? (Hint: Speed= Distance/Time)

Answer 1

To develop this point we will start by finding the approximate coordinates of the points that were connected at the time of the Pangaea between Brazil and Angola. These coordinates are presented below.

1 . Brazil - Latitude: 18 0 07’ 55.56” S Longitude: 39 0 35’ 14.50” W 2.

Angola - Latitude: 9 0 08’ 50.02” S Longitude: 13 0 02’ 32.11” E

Using a tool for calculating distances between these two points we will notice that its distance is 576,155,570.12 cm

Applying the equation given in the statement we will have to,

$v = \frac{x}{t} \rightarrow v = Velocity, x = Distance, t = Time$

200,000,000 years have passed and the movement was previously found, so the speed of travel is,

$v = \frac{576,155,570.12cm}{200.000.000 years}$

$v = 2.88 cm/year$

Therefore the velocity is 2.88 cm per year.