1. The little motion that causes big things Activity List
Plate Tectonics
The little motion that causes big things
Activity List

2. Chapter #2: Click on an activity to begin
Activity One
Activity Two
Activity Three
Activity Four
Activity Five

3. Activity One How do we know the plates are moving?
Well using the GPS like the kind found in vehicles can help us verify the movement of plates. Many computer models are used too.
Proceed to the next page.
Next

4. Using GPS & computer models
Get the Lab sheet from Shawler
You will be using text resources and online resources to explore relative plate motion on Earth
Don’t just answer questions. Spend time exploring resources.
Please ask if you have any questions
Be prepared to share what you have learned from these activities
Next

5. Activity Two
Ok, so the plates are moving, but since they are solid, won’t there be open spaces and collisions?
Well, the plate are always separating and crashing together, we cannot always feel it, but we can see the results.
Next

6. Plate Boundaries
There are three different types of plate boundaries, divergent, convergent, and transform.
Each of the boundaries affects the surrounding areas in different ways.
Next

7. Models of plate boundaries
Go to the following sites:
Observe animations of processes that occur along plate boundaries.
IRIS - How do Earth’s tectonic plates interact?
Watch all animations/video clips about
plate boundary types.
Take brief notes & draw pictures
Get handout from Shawler for Activity 2
Show Shawler and get initials on Handout
This takes the place of Activity #2 part A
Next

8. Activity Two Now, do Part B, C, & D on page G76-G77
You should have gotten handout from Shawler already.
*You will need a blank world map to do Part C #2
*You will also need Shawler’s giant map.
*Don’t forget to show Part A to Shawler and get Shawler sign-off on Activity 2 handout.
WHEN COMPLETE, READ PAGES
Activity List

9. Activity Three What is the Earth composed of that
allows the plates to move?
What drives the plates?
Using current technology, geologist can map and come up with a model of the layers of the Earth. Also, scientists have ideas about how the plates move.
Proceed to the next page
Next

10. Playdoh Earth Acquire four different colors of playdoh.
One color will represent the core, one color will represent the inner mantle, one the asthenosphere, and one the lithosphere.
Code your model
Draw it on a sheet of notebook paper and answer the Activity 3 questions on this same sheet.
Be prepared to explain to Shawler.
Use this picture on the next page as an example
Next

11. Next

12. Activity Three Questions (Put answers with model drawing)
What layer of the Earth do we live on?
What layer do the plates float on?
Are the layer of the Earth solid or liquid, or both? What purpose does this serve?
Next

13. Activity Three
So the Earth is made of layers, but still, how do the layers layer & how do the plates move?
The plates move by an action called convection. Convection currents occur in any fluid environment & have been identified in the Earth’s lithosphere. Some of the rock within the mantle is thought to be in a semi-solid state due to intense temperature & pressure. The rock has the consistency of warm wax and is able to flow.
Next

14. Investigate
Go to this website and watch the video: Convection Currents
So how do convection currents work?
Convection currents run our weather, ocean currents, and plate tectonics so they are pretty important to understand.
Next

15. Activity Three
Now, watch this clip that explains how these convection currents cause motion of the plates
Earth’s Interior and Plate Tectonics
WHEN FINISHED, READ PAGES
Activity List

16. Activity Four
There are many effects of plate tectonics. Some of them are easy to see & maybe feel. Others are not so obvious. Let’s investigate some of these effects.
Next

17. Activity Four
Be sure to pick up handout entitled “Cross-section with two subduction zones”
For activity #4, you will be making 2 models working in pairs & answering questions related to the model
Pick up the sheets to create the models & the sheet that tells what colors you need
Pick up questions
Activity List

18. How did the idea of Plate Tectonics start?
Activity Five
How did the idea of Plate Tectonics start?
The theory of Plate tectonics was devised by a man named Alfred Wegner, but was thought foolish when he came up with it
Next

19. Theory of Plate Tectonics
In 1912, Alfred Wegener proposed the idea of Pangea and the drifting of continents.
He, however, was not able to say how it worked.
He did collect quite a bit of evidence though.
Use the following interactive to explore his evidence.
Next

20. The moving continents
Go to this website.
1.) Launch the interactive
2.) Get the discussion questions from Shawler
3.) Use the interactive to answer the questions.
WHEN FINISHED, READ PAGES
Next

21. Conclusions
Plate tectonics is considered one of the greatest findings in science. The moving of the plates effects so much of our daily lives. You wouldn’t know it, unless you knew about the plates.
Next

22. You Have Now Completed The Plate Tectonics Experience!!!
Main Menu