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The geological processes that form and shape the earth's surface can also cause a variety of hazardous events. Molten rock first solidified in patches on the planet's turbulent surface more than four billion years ago. Ever since, the Earth's crust has thickened and matured, but it has not stabilized. Great slabs of solid crust move, driven by heat from geochemical processes that keep subsurface rock in a molten and mobile condition. When these slabs collide, the impact starts a process called subduction, in which sections of crust are forced downward. At the surface, subduction causes earthquakes and generates volcanic activity, two processes that pose a threat to human lives and cultures. The information presented on this web site will allow you to explore the causes and effects of both volcanoes and earthquakes. Click on the links to begin your investigation.   |