Practice AP Environmental Science questions on how natural disturbances across time scales affect habitats, migration, and biodiversity.
Plate-tectonic theory states that the Earth's lithosphere is broken into very slowly moving pieces or plates. Plate movements over vast stretches of time have led to the current orientation of our continents and oceans. Individual events along plate boundaries, such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, pose periodic threats to human activity and ecosystems. The "Ring of Fire" is a term that describes the location of increased seismic and volcanic activity around the margins of the Pacific Ocean basin. On the map above, each dot represents a volcano or an earthquake.
In addition to volcanic activity, highly destructive tsunamis are generated along Pacific Plate subduction zones.
Describe one negative ecological impact that tsunamis have on coastal environments.
(1 point for a correct description of a negative ecological impact;
only the first description given can earn points)
- Destruction of/loss of habitat such as mangrove forests, coral reefs, etc.
- Flooding resulting from tsunami waves can create saltwater intrusion into coastal ecosystems
- Drowning of terrestrial species