Geology Module # 7

The History of Plate Tectonic Theory Pangaea was the name of the land mass that existed approximately 240 million years ago. Alfred Wegner first created continental drift theory which stated that the continents drifted apart from this land mass into their present day location. He used plant/animal fossil evidence to help support his theory. Eventually, Plate Tectonic theory was developed that stated that the plates in the earth’s crust are moving due to convection in the mantle. Readiness

Plate Tectonics and Crustal Features Plates are moving in the earth’s crust due to convection in the mantle of Earth. Plates can collide (converge) to form mountains like the Himilayas. Plates can separate (diverge) under the ocean floor and cause ridges like the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Plates can slide (transform) past one another and cause earthquakes. Plates can collide and go underneath (subduct) another plate to cause volcanoes. Readiness

Convection and Plate Tectonics Heat from the core of the earth generates to create convection in the mantle. Heat rises and sinks within the mantle to create plate movement on the surface of the earth resulting in different types of landforms like volcanoes, mid- ocean ridges, and mountains. Readiness

Convergent Boundaries Readiness

Divergent Boundaries Readiness

Plate Tectonics Map Looking at the map can you predict the different landforms at each type of boundary? Readiness

Topographic Maps - Weathering Topographic maps show the changes of elevation and different land features on the earth’s surface. If contour lines are very close, then the land is steep. If contour lines are spread apart, then the land gradually slopes. At the end of a V-shaped river valley on a topographic map, exists a delta, where sediment is deposited. Readiness

Topographic Map If you were to climb the hill, which way would you go? Why? How much elevation would you have climbed? Readiness