1. Crustal Plates & Ocean Basins
Earth Structures
Plate Tectonics
Crustal Plates & Ocean Basins

2. Essential Standards
6.E.2 Understand the structure of the earth and how interactions of constructive and destructive forces have resulted in changes in the surface of the Earth over time and the effects of the lithosphere on humans.

3. Clarifying Objectives
6.E.2.2Explain how crustal plates and ocean basins are formed, move and interact using earthquakes, heat flow and volcanoes to reflect forces within the earth.

4. Essential Questions What is the Theory of Plate Tectonics?
What is the relationship between plate boundaries and major geological events?
How are the 4 plate boundaries similar & different?

5. EOG Questions
What causes the movement of tectonic plates?

6. Theory of Plate Tectonics
The Theory of Plate Tectonics is the story of why the Earth’s Continents are drifting
Plate Tectonics is centered around CONVECTION in the Earth’s Mantle

7. Continental Drift
Many scientists believe that the Earth started as one HUGE SUPERCONTINENT and drifted little by little into 7 different continents we have today
The drifting of the continents is called CONTINENETAL DRIFT
Continents only drift 3-5 centimeters per year

8. PANGAEA Pangea The History of the Continents
Pangaea is what geologist scientists called the super continent that they believed existed millions of years ago
Scientists believed that it was one landmass before the continents started drifting
Pangea The History of the Continents

9. MODERN PANGEA
What if the continents were smashed back together, to form a modern day Pangea. It would kept the same country borders that exist today. How would this affect international relations? How would this change daily life? What would happen to tourism, economies, societies, immigration, government? Would this be a better or worse version of the world?

10. Essential Question
Get with a partner and discuss then answer….
What is the Theory of Plate Tectonics?

11. Lithosphere
Lithosphere is the thin layer of rock that makes up part of the Earth’s crust
Lithosphere contains both
Crustal Plates (Continents)
Ocean Basins (ocean floor)

12. Asthenosphere
The Asthenosphere rides right above the mantle and right below the Lithosphere
It is made of flowing rock
It is similar to lava

13. Crustal Plates Crustal Plates are the continents of the world
They are located in the lithosphere
They float on top of the Asthenosphere which lets them drift and move

14. Ocean Basins Ocean basins are the Sea Floors of the world
They are also part of the Lithosphere
They also float on the Asthenosphere and sometimes break open and spill out lava (volcano)

15. Why are the Crustal Plates Moving?
Crustal Plates are moving because of the FORCE being put on it through CONVECTION
CONVECTION heat transfer/flow moves the plates
The molten lava from INSIDE the Earth is pushing up on the plates causing them to move
plate tectonics

16. Continental Boundaries
Continental Boundaries are the edges of the continents
There are 4 different Continental Boundaries
Convergent Boundary
Divergent Boundary
Transformed Boundary
Subduction Boundary

17. Continental Boundaries
They move & interact with other continental boundaries causing FORCE & disasters
The FORCE between Continental Boundaries when they slam into each other is responsible for Natural Disasters around the world

18. Convergent Boundaries
Convergent Boundaries are when two Continental plates collide TOGETHER
When continents converge together they will form MOUNTAINS
Plate Tectonics - A Documentary

19. Divergent Boundaries
Divergent Boundaries happen when two Continental plates or an Ocean Basins SPLIT APART
Divergent Boundaries will make the Continents move apart
Divergent Boundaries moving causes the Sea Floor to spread and a TRENCH to form
Plate Tectonics - A Documentary

20. Transformed Boundaries
Plate Tectonics - A Documentary
Plate Movement
Transformed Boundaries happen when two plates RUB AGAINST EACH OTHER
This rubbing action is what causes EARTHQUAKES

21. Subduction Boundaries
plate tectonics
3D Animation showing Formation of a Tsunami
Subduction Boundaries happen when one part of the Earth’s crust SLIPS UNDER another part
This will usually cause a VOLCANO
This will also cause a tsunami

22. Natural Disasters
Natural disasters occur because Continental plates crash into each other
Convergence causes MOUNTAINS
Divergence causes Convergence somewhere else
Transformation causes EARTHQUAKES
Subduction causes VOLCANOS

23. Essential Question Get with a partner and discuss then answer….
What is the relationship between plate boundaries and major geological events?
How are the 4 plate boundaries similar & different?

24. EOG Questions Which causes the movement of tectonic plates?
A) gravitational pull between Earth and the moon
B) convection occurring beneath the Earth’s crust
C) energy produced by earthquakes within the Earth
D) rotation of liquid rock found within the core

25. EOG Questions
Which most likely occurs when two plates are pushed into one another?
A) The plates will stop moving.
B) The plates will form a trench.
C) The plates will form a mountain.
D) The plates will break into pieces

26. Important Points
Plate Tectonics is the idea that all land started as one then broke apart and started drifting
Plates move because of CONVECTION
Four types of plate boundaries
Convergent
Divergent
Transformed
Subduction
Plate boundary causes movement force which causes Natural Disasters
Convergence (coming together) = MOUNTAINS
DIVERGENCE (moving apart) = Convergence in other areas & TRENCHES
TRANSFORMATION (sliding) = EARTHQUAKES
SUBDUCTION (Slipping under) = VOLCANO