answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

California and Alaska share the North American plate. But a bit of California, that is, a slice of it cut into the state near San Francisco and going south to the Gulf of Mexico, is on the Pacific plate. That bit of what is currently the California coastline, including the islands offshore in what is now Southern California are headed toward Alaska. It might be more accurate to say that the North American plate is moving south. Whether that bit of California will still be above the surface when they get there, we don't know. But there's a catch. (There's always a catch.) The Pacific plate is moving under the North American plate. What this means is that as those little bits of California move north (or the North American plate is moving south), they are also moving east and under the North American plate. That's because there is a big split down the middle of the Pacific plate (called the Pacific rift zone) that is pushing some of the Pacific plate east. There is a subduction zone which is offshore and runs along the western U.S. from northern California up past Oregon, Washington and along a bit of British Columbia. The end result is that there may not be any bits of California left above water by the time that portion of the Pacific plate reaches the Alaska area. But let's do the math (which is all we can do since we don't have a crystal ball). The plates are moving at a relative speed of about 5 centimeters per year (5cm/yr), so let's assume it stays constant. There are some 1200 kilometers (1200 km) between California where the fault comes ashore and the souther tip of Alaska (ball park figure). In case you don't have a calculator handy or can work it in your head, it's gonna take about 24 million years for California to get to Alaska, give or take a few. You just gotta wonder what the earth is gonna look like that long from now! If you look below, there is a smokin' link (SciLink) to a post that has lots of killer information and super illustrations. You read that and you'll become an expert in plate tectonics overnight! Go read it. Dare ya!

User Avatar

Wiki User

15y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

AnswerBot

5mo ago

California and Alaska are both part of the North American tectonic plate, which is moving in a northwest direction. It is estimated that it will take millions of years for California to collide with Alaska due to the slow rate of plate movement, typically a few centimeters per year. This collision would likely result in significant tectonic activity and the formation of new mountain ranges.

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: How long will it take for California to collide with Alaska?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

How long does it take to drive from California to Alaska?

Leaving from Yreka, California and driving to Juneau, Alaska it is about 2,362 miles, driving time about 48 hours.


How long does it take to mail a letter from Alaska to Southern California?

Three to Four days


How many days from California to anchorage via UPS ground?

How long does it take to deliver packages from California to Anchorage, Alaska via UPS ground?


How long does it take to get from Anchorage Alaska to Ontario California?

MapQuest estimates the driving time as 61 hours and 51 minutes.


How long will it take to drive from Pittsburgh to California?

How long will it take to drive from Pittsburgh to California?


How long does it take for a boat to travel from Alaska to California?

Well, since you didn't specify where in California, we'll assume you mean Northern California. A sailing from Juneau, Alaska to San Francisco (for example) would take about 3.5 days - assuming no stops and an average comfortable cruising speed of about 14 knots. Add an additional day or so for a call on Los Angeles or San Diego. Happy Sailing!


How long does it take for a letter to get from Virginia to Alaska?

How long does it take from Texas to Miami, regular mail.


How long does it take to get from Alaska to Texas?

7 hours


How long does it take to drive from Missouri to Alaska?

Mapquest


How long does it take to become a resident of Alaska?

6monthes


How long does priority mail take to get from California to Missouri?

How lOng does it take to get priority mail to Missouri from California


How long does it take to fly from Long Beach California to Cancun Mexico?

Alaska and Mexicana fly from LAX to CUN in about 4 and a half hours, and the return trip takes 5 hours.