Plate Tectonics

Slide1: 

http://www.geophysics.rice.edu/plateboundary/ Where are the Earth’s tectonic plates and their boundaries? What happens at plate boundaries? How do Earth scientists classify plate boundaries?

Discovering Plate Boundaries: 

Discovering Plate Boundaries Discovery based Data rich Geography Writing descriptions Map reading Classification Emphasizes observation Cooperative learning Random group interaction Presentation skills

Earth Observation Activity - 1: 

Earth Observation Activity - 1 4 teams: Volcanologists, Seismologists, Geochronologists, Geographers What does your map show? What patterns do you observe on your maps at / near plate boundaries? (symmetric, broad, diffuse, shallow, active, narrow, curved, ridge) -10 points for each INTERPRETATION! Classify the boundaries (5 or fewer) 1 map/person! Boundary types are to be called Type 1, Type 2, and etc. Write a description of each boundary type Assign a color to each boundary type and color it If the boundary is not symmetric, invent a way to show it

Earth Observation Activity - 2: 

7 Plate teams (one specialist per): North American, South American, Indian, Pacific, African, Australian, Antarctic Each specialist - share what you know As a team, classify your PLATE boundaries No more than 5; each includes all data types Type A, B, C, D …. Describe / Color 2-3 minute presentation / plate tomorrow Earth Observation Activity - 2

Earth Observation Activity: 

Earth Observation Activity 2-3 minute overview! Describe the plate boundaries Characteristics and location? Comparison to other groups?

Plate Tectonics: 

Plate Tectonics The upper mechanical layer of Earth (lithosphere) is divided into rigid plates that move away, toward, and along each other Most (!) geologic “action” occurs at plate boundaries DISTINCT PATTERNS

Plate BoundariesWhere Stuff Happens: 

Plate Boundaries Where Stuff Happens

Slide9: 

Relative Movements of Plates 2 Types of Crust – Oceanic and Continental

Slide10: 

Divergent Plate Boundary – Plates pull apart New ocean crust being made

Slide11: 

Divergent Plate Boundary – Plates Pull Apart Mountain chain / ridge (underwater!) at boundary Volcanos / fissures (dataset shows only rare volcanos) Shallow earthquakes Regular pattern of crust age – young at boundary, symmetrical around boundary – older away Volcanic rock types?

Slide15: 

Divergent Plate Boundary – Plates Pull Apart Mountain chain / ridge (underwater!) at boundary Volcanos / fissures (dataset shows only rare volcanos) Shallow earthquakes Regular pattern of crust age – young at boundary, symmetrical around boundary – older away Volcanic rock types?

Slide16: 

Convergent Plate Boundary – Plates come together Lithosphere being consumed 3 types

Slide17: 

Convergent Plate Boundary – Type 1 Ocean-Continental Crust Volcanic mountain chain and trench Volcanos are in a tight line, parallel to boundary Shallow to deep earthquakes Irregular pattern of crust age Volcanic rock types?

Slide18: 

Andes Mountains

Slide19: 

South American Plate Nazca Plate Antarctic Plate

Slide22: 

Convergent Plate Boundary – Type 1 Ocean-Continental Crust Volcanic mountain chain and trench Volcanos are in a tight line, parallel to boundary Shallow to deep earthquakes Irregular pattern of crust age Volcanic rock types?

Slide23: 

Convergent Plate Boundary – Type 2 Ocean-Ocean Crust Volcanic ISLAND chain and trench … rock types? Arcuate shape, tightly spaced volcanos Shallow to deep earthquakes Irregular pattern of crust age

Slide28: 

Convergent Plate Boundary – Type 2 Ocean-Ocean Crust Volcanic ISLAND chain and trench … rock types? Arcuate shape, tightly spaced volcanos Shallow to deep earthquakes Irregular pattern of crust age

Slide29: 

Convergent Plate Boundary – Type 3 Continent-Continent MOUNTAINS! Little volcanic activity Shallow to intermediate earthquakes No ocean crust

Slide30: 

Tibetan Plateau Himalayan Mtns. Mt. Everest

Slide31: 

Eurasian Plate Indian Plate

Slide32: 

Himalaya Mountains

Slide33: 

Convergent Plate Boundary – Type 3 Continent-Continent MOUNTAINS! Little volcanic activity Shallow to intermediate earthquakes No ocean crust

Transform: 

Complex topography Shallow earthquakes in broad band Broad volcanic bands Irregular age patterns Transform

What’s Driving Plate Tectonics on Earth?: 

What’s Driving Plate Tectonics on Earth?

Slide38: 

It’s all about convection and heat (loss)! Vigorous convection drives plate tectonics

Where Does the Heat Come From?: 

Where Does the Heat Come From?

Plate Tectonics: 

Plate Tectonics The upper mechanical layer of Earth (lithosphere) is divided into rigid plates that move away, toward, and along each other Most (!) geologic “action” occurs at plate boundaries DISTINCT PATTERNS

Slide42: 

Evidence of Heat Loss Or Plate Tectonics On Other Planets?

Slide43: 

Do other planets have plate tectonics? What does this tell us about conditions in the interior?

Evidence of Tectonics on Mars?: 

Evidence of Tectonics on Mars?