Wallace Creek has been offset by 130.0 meters (430 feet) to the right along the fault. The age of stream deposits indicates that this offset began 3700 years ago. Based on these figures, calculate the average rate of movement along this segment of the fault in centimeters per year (or inches per year). Keep in mind that your answer is an estimate of the long term average, not the expected movement each year.
A. Total offset in centimeters (or inches)
B) Average offset per year
This requires simple math. If the fault has moved 130 meters, how many centimeters is that? 430 feet equals how many inches? You have to know how many inches are in a foot, etc. Then divide by 3700 (years) to discover how much movement per year is average.
To calculate the average rate of movement along this segment of the fault in centimeters per year, we need to determine the total offset in centimeters and divide it by the number of years.
A. Total offset in centimeters (or inches):
Given that the offset is 130.0 meters (which is equivalent to 13000 centimeters or 430 feet), the total offset in centimeters is 13000 centimeters.
B) Average offset per year:
Given that the offset began 3700 years ago, the average offset per year is calculated by dividing the total offset by the number of years:
Average offset per year = Total offset / Number of years
Average offset per year = 13000 centimeters / 3700 years
Performing the calculation:
Average offset per year = 3.5135 centimeters per year
Therefore, the average rate of movement along this segment of the fault is approximately 3.5135 centimeters per year.