1.1
What is the absolute location of the Mariana Islands?
Absolute location of the Mariana Islands: Around 13°–21° N latitude and 144°–146° E longitude.
What are earthquakes?
Earthquakes are sudden shaking of the ground caused by the movement of Earth's tectonic plates.
What are the tropics?
The tropics are the area between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn with warm temperatures year-round.
What is a typhoon?
A typhoon is a powerful tropical cyclone (hurricane) that forms over the western Pacific Ocean.
What is a coral polyp?
A coral polyp is a tiny, soft-bodied animal that builds coral reefs by secreting calcium carbonate.
How old is Earth?
Age of Earth: About 4.54 billion years old.
What do seismologists do?
Seismologists study earthquakes and analyze seismic waves to understand Earth's structure and monitor tectonic activity.
What are the two main seasons in the Mariana Islands?
The dry season and the rainy (wet) season.
What is a super typhoon?
A super typhoon is an extremely strong typhoon with winds exceeding 150 mph (240 km/h).
What ocean conditions are necessary for coral to grow?
Warm, clear, shallow water with plenty of sunlight and stable salty conditions.
What is the Marianas Trench and where is it located?
Marianas Trench: The deepest part of the ocean, located east of the Mariana Islands in the western Pacific.
What is a volcano?
A volcano is an opening in Earth’s surface where magma, gases, and ash can escape from beneath the crust.
Why is there a rainy season in the Marianas?
The rainy season is caused by warm ocean air, moist winds, and monsoon weather patterns that bring heavy rainfall.
Describe the typhoon belt
The typhoon belt is a region in the western Pacific where typhoons commonly form and travel, especially between 5° and 20° North latitude.
What plant lives inside a coral polyp?
Zooxanthellae, a type of algae, lives inside coral polyps and helps them get energy through photosynthesis.
Can you describe how the Marianas Trench was formed?
Formation of the Marianas Trench: Formed by subduction of the Pacific Plate beneath the Mariana Plate.
define Earthquake
A sudden shaking of the ground caused by the movement of tectonic plates along faults.
When is the monsoon season?
The monsoon (rainy) season is from July to November.
What is a storm surge?
A storm surge is a rise in sea level caused by strong winds pushing water toward the shore during a storm.
Why are coral reefs important to the Mariana Islands?
They provide habitats for marine life, protect shorelines from erosion, and support fishing and tourism.
What is a seamount?
Seamount: An underwater volcanic mountain that doesn’t reach the ocean surface.
define Fault
A crack in Earth’s crust where two blocks of rock move past each other, often causing earthquakes.
define Tropic of Cancer
An imaginary line at 23.5° North, where the sun is directly overhead on the June solstice.
Why should people plan ahead for typhoons?
Because typhoons can cause severe flooding, strong winds, and damage, planning helps keep people safe and prepared for emergencies.
Why are there almost no white sand beaches in the islands north of Saipan?
Because the northern islands have rocky shores and less coral reef development, so less coral breakdown to form white sand.