Plate Tectonics Lab February 2015

Types of Plate Boundaries ConvergentDivergentTransformSubduction

Convergent Where two plates are colliding Where two plates are colliding Example: Himalayas between Eurasian Plate and Indian Plate Example: Himalayas between Eurasian Plate and Indian Plate

Divergent Where two plates are moving away from each other Where two plates are moving away from each other Example: East African Rift Example: East African Rift

Transform Where two plates are sliding past each other Where two plates are sliding past each other Example: San Andreas Fault along the west coast of California Example: San Andreas Fault along the west coast of California

Subduction A type of convergent boundaries where one plate is moving under another one A type of convergent boundaries where one plate is moving under another one Example: The Andes in South America where the Nazca Plate is moving under the South American Plate Example: The Andes in South America where the Nazca Plate is moving under the South American Plate

Activity Gather supplies Gather supplies Wax paper Wax paper Graham crackers – Continental plates Graham crackers – Continental plates Fruit roll up pieces – ocean plates Fruit roll up pieces – ocean plates Frosting - asthenosphere Frosting - asthenosphere Using the supplies make examples of each of the 4 types of plate boundaries Using the supplies make examples of each of the 4 types of plate boundaries Draw each situation in your notebook Draw each situation in your notebook

Activity continued For divergent: start with the two pieces of crackers close together then move them apart For divergent: start with the two pieces of crackers close together then move them apart For transform: start with the two pieces of crackers close together and slide one up and one down For transform: start with the two pieces of crackers close together and slide one up and one down For subduction: use the fruit roll up piece and slide it under one of the crackers For subduction: use the fruit roll up piece and slide it under one of the crackers For convergent: wet the side of one of the crackers, slide the wet side into the side of another cracker For convergent: wet the side of one of the crackers, slide the wet side into the side of another cracker

Activity Quesions 1. Explain the strong points of how this model is a good model for understanding tectonic plate movement. 2. Explain the weak points of how this model is a poor example for understanding tectonic plate movement.