1. MT 7: California Geology
LT 1: Natural Hazards

2. Why are we studying CA Geology?
We live in California and it is a state standard.
Unique geological features and history.
Location: West coast of USA, which is on North American continent.

3. What is CA’s Geology?
Where the North American plate & Pacific plate meet
Major plate movement and activity.
Formed as a result of tectonic plate movement
Weathering has also played a role:
wind, water, ice, and erosion on surface of Earth formed unique landscape.

4. What is the unique landscape of California?
Sierra Nevada Mountain Range:
Very tall and large mountains located on the East side of the state
Large Eastern deserts.
East side of the mountains and in Southeast California

5. What is the unique landscape of California?
Pacific Ocean:
Border of the West side of state
Northern California:
cooler & receives more precipitation (rain, snow, hail, sleet).
Southern California:
warmer and receives less precipitation.

6. What is the unique landscape of California?

7. How does the landscape cause Natural Hazards?
Think, Write, Pair, Share

8. The processes of the Earth in this region produce Natural Hazards
In other words, the movement of the Earth makes parts of California likely to experience hazards humans can’t control!

9. What is a Natural Hazard?
An event that results from Earth processes
Can cause damage & endanger human life

10. What are CA’s Natural Hazards?
Storms
Earthquakes
Volcanoes

11. What is a Storm? Excess precipitation Winter storms bring
Rain, snow, hail, sleet
Winter storms bring
Rain to lower elevations
Snow to the mountains.

12. What natural hazards are produced by a Storm?
MUDFLOWS-
A mass of very wet soil or rock that flows quickly downhill
Occurrence:
Southern California – during & after severe rainfall
Northern California – rapid melting of snow causes hazard
FLOODING-
What is it: Excessive (too much) rainfall & melting snow
Northern California
River channels filled in short period of time & overflow
Mountains & Southern California:
Flashfloods: floodwaters rise rapidly & move quickly
Agricultural Areas:
Can cause dams and levees to fail.

13. What is an Earthquake?
Earthquakes are produced when pressure is released at a plate boundary

14. What natural hazards are produced by an Earthquake?
TSNUNAMIS –
A wave formed when the ocean floor shifts suddenly during an earthquake.
Can grow to enormous size, gain speed, and act like a powerful wall of water
Risk near the California West Coast
SIESMIC SHAKING –
Measure of ground movement during an earthquake.
Buildings, freeways and structures can collapse
Risk along fault lines

15. What natural hazards are produced by an Earthquake?
LIQUEFACTION –
water-soaked soil turns to a thick, soupy liquid
Buildings and other structures quickly collapse in the soft mud.
landslides –
When loose rock & soil on slopes move
Occurrence in areas with:
Steep slopes (think mountains)
Weak soils
Periods of drought
Recent forest fires

16. What is a Volcano?
Produced by the subduction of a plate beneath another
Location (primarily)
Cascade Ranges – Northern Ca
Volcanic Fields
Area that is covered by volcanic rock
Long Valley Caldera – East side of Sierra Nevada Mtns

17. What natural hazards are produced by a Volcano?
Volcanic Ash–
Dust produced from burning rock of the volcano.
Harmful to plants, animals & human respiratory system
Can block incoming solar radiation that is needed to survive
Lava Flows–
Lava that breaks through surface of volcano & moves down the sides of it
Can destroy whole villages & create new land masses.
Volcanic Gases-Carbon Dioxide Gas
Can be deadly to plants, animals, and people in high concentrations

18. LT 1 Notes Summary
On a separate sheet of paper, answer the following questions in complete sentences:
What 3 Natural Hazards commonly take place in California?
What are the 4 main earthquake hazards in Ca?
What are the 3 volcanic hazards in California?
What are two hazards that result from storms in California?