Similarities and Differences
At first glance it would seem that the Pacific Northwest and Massachusetts would have a great deal in common. The area shares similar latitude, with Massachusetts at 42.3 degrees N and Oregon (for example) at 44 degrees N. They both also have climates that are influenced by marine systems, although the Pacific Northwest tends to have a more moderate marine climate. Massachusetts has to deal with Nor'easters and other types of severe weather. They both also depend on a huge fishing industry for their economy. Because the Pacific Northwest covers so much more area than Massachusetts, these areas also have a number of differences.
At first glance it would seem that the Pacific Northwest and Massachusetts would have a great deal in common. The area shares similar latitude, with Massachusetts at 42.3 degrees N and Oregon (for example) at 44 degrees N. They both also have climates that are influenced by marine systems, although the Pacific Northwest tends to have a more moderate marine climate. Massachusetts has to deal with Nor'easters and other types of severe weather. They both also depend on a huge fishing industry for their economy. Because the Pacific Northwest covers so much more area than Massachusetts, these areas also have a number of differences.
Coastal Regions and Islands
Massachusetts has 1,500 miles of coastline when you include
the physical coast and the islands. The
coastline is made up of sand beaches, marshes, lighthouses, harbors and
national parks, most of which are very close to sea level. The coastline is the result of the most
recent glacial activity. It is rocky and jagged, which has also created the natural harbors and bays that are the reason that Massachusetts is referred to as the "Bay State".
There are also hundreds of “islands” along the coast if you include
places like Governor’s Island (part of the Logan International runway) and Abbot
Rock, which has an elevation of 0 meters.
For the most part, the water is calm and made for swimming and tourist
participation.
The state of Oregon has about 360 miles of coastline, while Washington
has only about 160 miles. Washington has fewer “islands” listed online than Massachusetts; however, almost all of the
islands mentioned in Washington are inhabited and have some sort of real elevation.
None were listed as “minor rocks” like Abbot Island. The Pacific Northwest coastline was created by waves and tectonic activity. When you look
at photos of the coastline of Oregon and Washington, you see many more dramatic
sights with ocean cliffs that drop straight down to the sea. The ocean current is much more active with
waves crashing up hundreds of feet (see the video of Depot Bay, Oregon below). The
power of the ocean in the Pacific Northwest is so strong that engineers are
currently looking at the wave action as a form of renewable energy. Oregon is being viewed as one of the major
locations for marine energy devices to be tested. Below is a YouTube video of some family on vacation at a bluff where the waves crash up the rocks over the people. I'll have to try it sometime.
Video footage of waves crashing on people at Depot Bay, Oregon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPBlPTixgOM
Volcanic Past and Present
It is well known that the highly active volcanic sites in the Pacific Northwest are part of the area known as the Ring of Fire. According to the textbook, Mayda states that “over 120 volcanoes and numerous cinder cones, lava flows, hot springs, and mud pools blanket the southern Cascade mountain range. The tectonic activity in this area is much younger than that of the east coast and therefore there are still active volcanoes in the area, like Mount Hood and Mount St. Helen’s.
It is well known that the highly active volcanic sites in the Pacific Northwest are part of the area known as the Ring of Fire. According to the textbook, Mayda states that “over 120 volcanoes and numerous cinder cones, lava flows, hot springs, and mud pools blanket the southern Cascade mountain range. The tectonic activity in this area is much younger than that of the east coast and therefore there are still active volcanoes in the area, like Mount Hood and Mount St. Helen’s.
According to the United State Geological Survey website, there are a
number of sites in Massachusetts that contain volcanic rock and indicate
ancient plate collision when the mountains were formed. These include areas of the Berkshires, the
Connecticut Valley at Greenfield and Deerfield, and even under Boston
itself. It was the recent glacial
activity in Massachusetts that flattened or lowered most of the volcanic rises in the
state. Otherwise Massachusetts and the
Connecticut Valley might have looked a lot more like the Willamette Valley
today.
I've included a YouTube video of the eruption of Mount St. Helen's in 1980. It comes from the United States Geological Service. It explains what happened that day and the damage done.
For those of you who don't like to see volcanoes erupt, here is a video of Johnny Cash singing Ring of Fire. They are both pretty spectacular!
I've included a YouTube video of the eruption of Mount St. Helen's in 1980. It comes from the United States Geological Service. It explains what happened that day and the damage done.
For those of you who don't like to see volcanoes erupt, here is a video of Johnny Cash singing Ring of Fire. They are both pretty spectacular!
The Eruption of Mount St. Helen's
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xP2dreOI8gI
Johnny Cash Singing Ring of Fire
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=It7107ELQvY
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