The formation of the island of Hispaniola is thought to have occurred over three major periods that are associated with various events in its’ geological history:
- Volcanic activity on the ocean floor started building up the Caribbean arc of islands.
- During the Cretaceous period, volcanic activity continued to build and add upon the arc (vertically and laterally).
- Deposits of carbonate and other sediments during the Cenozoic were laid upon the older layers (result of volcanic activity), giving rise to the present geologic/tectonic features.
(Refer students to the Geology Map in the multimedia section)
Volcanoes:The volcanic activity that began the formation of the Caribbean islands was a result of the separation of the tectonic plates of North and South America. As the plates shifted further apart, fragments were pushed eastward and formed the base of the Greater Antilles.
(Refer students to the Tectonics Map in the multimedia section)
Plate Tectonics: The various biomes and regions found throughout the Dominican Republic can be related to their geologic origins and the tectonic zones of the island. In fact, each major region is located within it’s own tectonic zone. For example the Cordillera mountain ranges are each on separate morphotectonic zones (Septentrional – Zone 2; Central – Zone 4). The faults that separate the major units are the cause of the formation of these geological features.
Earthquakes:
(Link to Earthquakes 101 video – National Geographic)
http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/player/environment/environment-natural-disasters/earthquakes/earthquake-101.html
(Link to Haitian Earthquake news article – National Geographic)
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/01/100113-haiti-earthquake-red-cross/
www.iris.edu has really good educational resources/animations for these topics, link to this website. (Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology). Their videos are available on YouTube.