Plate Tectonics SC.7.E.6.5: Explore the scien6fic theory of plate tectonics by describing how the movement of Earth s crustal plates causes both slow and rapid changes in Earth s surface, including volcanic erup6ons, earthquakes, and mountain building. (Also assesses SC.7.E. 6.1 and SC.7.E.6.7) Essen6al Ques6ons: What evidence is there to support the theory of plate tectonics? How might our maps of Earth be different millions of years from now?
Bell Ringer 5 Minutes Click Picture to Start Timing
I Do Right- hand side Click Picture for Link Click on the picture. Label the layers and write characteris<cs of each as you explore the structure of the Earth. Crust: hard, rigid, outermost and thinnest layer (Con<nental Crust is land, Oceanic Crust is the ocean floor). Mantle: divided into 2 regions (upper and lower), it is a dense layer made of hot, semisolid rock, below crust. Lithosphere: layer includes a <ny bit of crust and upper mantle, made up of tectonic plates which are made of solid rock. Asthenosphere: hot, semi- liquid zone of upper mantle, plates move or float on this layer. Convec<on currents in the magma in this layer make the plates move. Outer Core: liquid layer, surrounds the inner core. Inner Core: extremely hot, solid center of the Earth(because of the pressure), made of iron and nickel.
We Do (Label from Outermost to Innermost layer) Right- hand side Crust Crust Crust Mantle Lithosphere Asthenosphere Inner Core Mantle Outer Core Mantle Draw arrows showing where convec<on currents that cause plate tectonics would take place. Choose the right layer!
I Do Plate Movement Right- hand Side The Earth s Crust and upper part of the Mantle are broken into large pieces called tectonic plates. The plates are constantly moving, only a few cen<meters per year. Movement has allowed con<nents to move apart. This process is called Con<nental DriU. The plates moved due to convec<on currents in the Mantle caused by radioac<ve decay. Click Picture for Link Comprehension Check: If the plates are moving a few cen<meters a year, what could the con<nents look like in 10,000 years? 100, 000?
I Do Plate Movement Right- hand Side The Crust becomes unstable where the plates meet and push against each other, or ride under or over each other. Geologic events such as earthquakes, volcanic erup<ons, and mountain building take place at the boundaries. The Theory of Plate Tectonics and Con<nental DriU were proposed by Wegener. The theory supports why earthquakes and volcanoes are concentrated around the plates. The matching shapes of the con<nents and similar fossils across the ocean also support the Theory of Plate Tectonics and a singular con<nent scien<sts now call Pangea. Comprehension Check: What evidence could you point to that can prove the theory of Plate Tectonics?
I Do Types of Boundaries Right- hand Side Convergent Boundaries where the plates come together. Transform Boundaries where the plates move back and forth past each other. Types of Boundaries Divergent Boundaries where the plates move apart.
Convergent Boundaries Con6nental- Con6nental: Two con<nental plates collide. Result: mountain building. (Ex. Himalayan Mountains) Con6nental- Oceanic: One con<nental and one oceanic plate converge. The more dense oceanic plate pushes underneath the con<nental plate (subduc<on). Result: ocean trenches, earthquakes, and volcanic mountains. Oceanic- Oceanic: The denser plate subducts under the other. Result: volcanic island arcs and/or earthquakes.
Divergent Boundary Spreading plates cause sea floor spreading. Result: a mid- ocean ridge where magma rises and new crust is added. A deep ris valley can form when con<nental crust pulls apart.
Transform Boundary Result: Earthquakes (Ex. San Andreas fault along the California coast.)
We Do Right- hand Side Modeling plate movement: Using your hands, model a convergent boundary. Using your hands, model divergent boundary. Using your hands, model transform boundary. Comprehension Check: Compare and Contrast the 3 types of boundaries.
Collabora<ve You Do LeU- hand Side Convergent 1. Draw arrows showing the direc<on of plate movement for each type of boundary. 2. Iden<fy the geologic events that take place at each type boundary. Divergent Transfor m
BELLRINGER What are the Answers? 1. Which diagram best represents the type of plate movement that results in mountain building? A. B. C. D.
2. The diagram below shows four layers of Earth. In which layer of Earth are the convec<on currents that directly result in tectonic plate mo<on found? a. 1 b. 2 c. 3 d. 4
Independent You Do LeU- hand Side 1. Explain why convec6on currents are important to the theory of Plates Tectonics. 2. Explain why the supercon6nent Pangaea is no longer in existence. 3. Explain how plate movement at the boundaries has changed the surface of the Earth over 6me.
Exit Ticket Le6- hand Side Essen6al Ques6ons: 1. What evidence is there to support the theory of plate tectonics? 2. How might our maps of Earth be different millions of years from now?