While researching Thailand, I have explored the amazing
physical characteristics that define this country. Many people who have visited
or live(d) in Thailand have no idea of the significance of Thailand’s
limestone, tropical monsoon climate, and northern mountains. Thailand is
categorized as Tropical Asia which affects the country’s vegetation, climate,
hydrology, and many other factors. Also, it lies on the Eurasian plate, moving
at an average of 2 cm per year away from the North American plate in an
eastward movement. That being said, the
physical geography of Thailand will have notable changes in years to come.
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| As you can see the plate is moving eastward away from the North American plate. |
In 10,000 years the Eurasian plate will have moved .124274
miles eastward. This calculation means that Thailand will have a minor change in its mountain belt. The Shain-Thai terrane, part of the Eurasia, will collide with the Western Burma terrane changing geological structures.
Also, there will be a change in the distribution and behavior of the rainforest in mountainous areas of Thailand. It is predicted that by this time, tropical forest areas will increase from 45% to 80%. An increase in evapotranspiration and rainfall changeability will result in contraction and desiccation. All of these changes to Thailand’s ecosystem is caused by changes in sea level and temperature.
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| These are some mountains of Thailand and you can observe the large amount of vegetation and humidity. |
At this point in 1,000,000 years the Eurasian plate will
have moved 12.4274 miles eastward. Since Thailand is a coastal land, it is prone to many changes in its physical geography including sea flooding, land loss, coastal erosion, and rise in sea level. Thailand’s most prominent attractions are its limestone karst areas where you find incredible caves. However, since Thailand is a coastal land, the limestone in karst areas will change following a dissolution process. In 10,000 years, tropical karst will form due to an abundance of water and organic acids. It starts with the rise of sea level, then acidic water starts to break down limestone bedrock, making the cracks bigger. After that, a drainage system will form underground and karst features will increase.
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| This is a famous limestone cliff formed by waves and tectonic processes. |
100,000,000 years from today:
Finally, in 100,000,000 years, the Eurasian plate will have
moved 1242.74 miles eastward. At this point Thailand is dramatically changed,
especially due to seasonal variability and increase in temperatures. There will
be a glacial backdrop and most of Thailand will probably be under sea level considering
it is on the coast and only the northern part of Thailand has a mountain belt.
Basically, the northern mountains will be the border between the ocean and
land, and will eventually erode because changes in sea level will cause coastal
processes to begin again. Changes in temperature makes Thailand vulnerable
today, therefore, land erosions and sea flooding will not be uncommon for
Thailand in 100,000,000 years.
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| This is what the world is predicted to look like in 100 million years and as you can see, sea level rises drastically. |
Thailand
will experience dramatic changes in its physical geography in the next 100,000,000
years. Karst area formations will increase in the next 10,000 years. By this
time the Eurasian plate will have moved significantly enough to impact Thailand’s
mountain belt and vegetation. Lastly, due to sea level rise and temperature
variability, Thailand will be notably smaller in area and the Thai highlands
will be the boundary between ocean and Thailand.
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