Lithosphere & Plate tectonics Test: 3/22/18

Lithosphere The solid, rocky layer of Earth The lithosphere is solid but broken into pieces. The composition of the lithosphere is like that of basalt. Because granite is more dense than basalt, continents float on top of the lithosphere.

Plate A section of the Lithosphere; piece of the Earth’s crust Several plates are larger than continents. A plate may include continents, parts of the ocean floor, or both. Earth’s plates move slowly . The plates might move into eachother, pull apart, or even grind past eachother.

Constructive force Forces that build new features on Earth’s surface

Destructive force Forces that wear away or tear down features on Earth’s surface

Theory of Plate Tectonics Theory that explains the formation/ movement of Earth’s crust

Continental Drift Theory that all of today’s continents were once part of one supercontinent which broke apart and the continents then moved into their present positions

Continental Drift In 1915, Alfred Wegener, a German meteorologist and geologist suggested that the continents were moving slowly across the Earth’s surface. This theory became known as the Theory of Continental Drift. Continental Drift song from Ice Age!

Continental Drift At the time Wegener could not explain how the continents moved through the sea floor. His theory was rejected until 1950 when scientists discovered molten rock from the mantle spewing up in the ocean basins. Continental Drift song from Ice Age!

Continental Drift This discovery showed scientists that the lithosphere is not a solid shell, but is broken into giant pieces called tectonic plates. Continental Drift song from Ice Age!

Evidence & Criticism Wegner’s evidence to prove his ideas was the shape of the continents (puzzle pieces), fossils, and mountains Even with this evidence, the scientific community did not believe him because they thought that there was no way that a force was strong enough to move continents.

Why do Earthquakes & Volcanoes occur at plate boundaries? Plate boundaries are where massive amounts of energy are released, where broken edges move against each other

Where is the largest area of active earthquakes and volcanoes in the world? The largest area of active earthquakes and volcanoes in the world are located at the Pacific Plate edges. This is known as the Ring of Fire. This is the most active earthquake and volcano region in the world.

What does seafloor spreading have to do with the Theory of Continental Drift? Seafloor spreading shows how the plates can push away from each other and make one ocean larger each year, moving the continents on the plates farther away from each 0ther.

How are plates moving at divergent boundaries? At divergent boundaries, plates are diverging, or moving apart, from one another. This is also known as seafloor spreading.

Where in the ocean will you find the youngest rocks? You will find the youngest rocks near the Mid-Ocean Ridge

How are plates moving at sliding boundaries? (Transform boundaries) At sliding boundaries ,or transform boundaries, plates are sliding, or moving past each other.

Give an example of a sliding (transform) boundary The San Andres fault zone is an example of a sliding boundary.

How are plates moving at converging boundaries? Plates are moving together

What was Pangea? The name of the super continent when all 7 continents were once one, before they split up.

Differentiate between Continental Drift and Plate tectonics Wegner’s theory of Continental Drift states that the continents are floating on the mantle. After the discovery of sea-floor spreading, scientist modified Wegner’s theory to include more than just the continents (Earth’s plate’s too). This theory is known as Plate Tectonics. This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

Ice age: Continental Drift

The three types of plate boundaries are… Convergent- Plates come together Divergent- Plates move apart Transform- Plates slide past eachother

How are each of the following landforms created? Collision of continental plates Mountains Divergence of continental plates Rift Valleys Subduction of a plate Volcanoes Transform plate movement Fault

Differentiate between weathering, erosion, and deposition. Weathering breaks rock into sediment. Erosion transports the sediment. Deposition causes the sediment to settle in a new location.

What causes weathering? Water (freezing/ thawing, dissolving), wind, plant growth, animals

What is the primary cause of erosion? Gravity

What landforms are formed from weathering, erosion, and deposition? Floodplain Sand dune Canyon River delta

What type of map is this and what is it used for? This is a contour map It is used to show the elevation of land on a flat paper surface

Test 3/22