Formation:
This park was formed by the movement of an oceanic plate below a continental plate. This process, termed subduction, occurs at a converging plate boundary. Olympic National Park was formed when the Juan de Fuca Plate moved below the North American Plate. With the movement of the Juan De Fuca plate underneath the North American plate, the uppermost portion of the Juan de Fuca Plate was pushed off which over time formed the coastline and mountains of Olympic National Park. The accretionary wedge produces marine fossils that are located in the park’s mountains from millions of years ago. In order for an accretionary wedge to form there are several conditions necessary. These conditions include a fairly young oceanic plate at subduction zone that slowly converges at a rate of 1.2 inches/year.
Volcanos:
Volcanos were also formed from the subduction zone due to the melting of the tectonic plate. The melting causes magma form and move up towards the surface which eventually causes an eruption. Although not located within the boundaries of Olympic National Park these are located nearby.
This park was formed by the movement of an oceanic plate below a continental plate. This process, termed subduction, occurs at a converging plate boundary. Olympic National Park was formed when the Juan de Fuca Plate moved below the North American Plate. With the movement of the Juan De Fuca plate underneath the North American plate, the uppermost portion of the Juan de Fuca Plate was pushed off which over time formed the coastline and mountains of Olympic National Park. The accretionary wedge produces marine fossils that are located in the park’s mountains from millions of years ago. In order for an accretionary wedge to form there are several conditions necessary. These conditions include a fairly young oceanic plate at subduction zone that slowly converges at a rate of 1.2 inches/year.
Volcanos:
Volcanos were also formed from the subduction zone due to the melting of the tectonic plate. The melting causes magma form and move up towards the surface which eventually causes an eruption. Although not located within the boundaries of Olympic National Park these are located nearby.
Earthquakes:
Earthquakes can occur in locations with a convergent plate boundary such as the boundary near Olympic National Park. At this plate boundary the Juan de Fuca Plate moves under the North American Plate, which causes strain between the two plates. Once the strain between the plates is released an earthquake occurs. The magnitude of an earthquake can be determined by analyzing the seismic waves released by the earthquake.The last significant earthquake recorded at the plate boundary in Olympic National Park occurred approximately 300 years ago.
Erosion:
Olympic Mountains located in the park display an interesting erosion pattern. The rain, wind, and glaciers erode the rocks that form the mountains. The eroded material can eventually as part of this process travel down and be deposited into the nearby ocean This eroded rock can then be deposited to the oceanic plate. This process over lengthy time can result in these eroded rock deposits forming parts of the mountains.
Sources:
Parks and Plates Textbook
http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/national-parks/olympic-national-park/
Parks and Plates Textbook
http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/national-parks/olympic-national-park/