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The North American and Pacific plates are sliding along each other at approximately 2 inches per year (although this speed can vary, especially during a strong earthquake!). If Point Reyes and the Tehachapi Mountains are now 300 miles apart, how long ago were they together? (hint: 300 miles is 19,008,000 inches)

Sagot :

Answer: 9,504,000 years ago

Explanation:

The plates are sliding along each other at a rate of 2 inches per year and are now 300 miles away from each other.

To find out how long ago they were together, find out how long it took them to get to the current 300 miles apart:

300 miles = 19,008,000 inches

Time taken to get to 300 miles:

= Distance in inches / Inches per year

= 19,008,000 / 2

= 9,504,000 years ago