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.
130/3700 = 0.03514 meters = 3.5 cm per year
130 meters = 13,000 centimeters
To calculate the average rate of movement along the segment of the fault, we need to divide the offset distance by the time period over which it occurred.
First, we need to convert the offset distance from feet to centimeters (or inches to centimeters). Let's assume we'll use centimeters in this calculation:
1 foot = 30.48 centimeters
So, 430 feet * 30.48 centimeters/foot = 13107.44 centimeters.
Next, we divide the converted offset distance by the time period of movement in years:
Average rate = 13107.44 cm / 3700 years
= 3.54 cm/year (rounded to two decimal places).
Therefore, the average rate of movement along this segment of the fault is approximately 3.54 centimeters per year.
A) Total offset in centimeters (or inches)
B) Average offset per year