Understanding Plate Boundaries Activity 45

Activity 45: Understanding Plate Boundaries CHALLENGE: How does the theory of plate tectonics help to explain the locations of earthquakes, volcanoes, and mountain ranges? KEY VOCABULARY: Convergent Boundary Divergent Boundary Subduction Zone Transform Boundary You will write these definitions when you complete SS45.1

Is there an even distribution of earthquakes and volcanoes over the surface of the earth? What do you observe about the pattern of earthquakes and volcanoes on the Earth? Where do they occur? How does this map compare to the plate boundaries you mapped on SS 44.2, “Plate Boundaries”?

Doing the Activity Glue in SS 45.1 You will use SS 45.1 as a guide to identify and summarize important points from the text. Read pages Please complete SS 45.1 as you do so.

Analysis Questions 1.Two ways in which the movement of lithospheric plates can result in the formation of mountains are: 1.When 2 continental plates collide and the rock is pushed upward, as with the Himalayan mountains 2.When lava from volcanic eruptions builds up around a vent and forms a volcanic mountain, like those seen at divergent boundaries and subduction zones

2.transform boundary  is located in California between parts of the pacific and North American plates b.divergent boundary  in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean between the North American and Eurasian plates as well as between the South American and African plates c.Convergent boundary  between the Indian and Eurasian plates, as well as between the western edge of the South American plate and the adjacent Nazca plate (this is also a subduction zone)

3.Yucca Mountain is closest to the transform boundary located in California between parts of the Pacific and North American plates.