1. FINAL COMIC STRIP DUE FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!
Must submit all 3 drafts along with peer/teacher feedback

2. THIS IS NOT HOW EARTH LOOKS TODAY
WHAT IS THIS?
THIS IS NOT HOW EARTH LOOKS TODAY

3. Plate Tectonics The theory of plate tectonics was first proposed by
Alfred Wegener in Wegener noticed that the
shorelines of the continents seemed to ‘fit together’
like the pieces of a giant jig saw puzzle.
Wegener’s theory stated:
The continents were once all together in one
place forming a supercontinent, Pangea.
The continents broke apart and drifted to their
present locations.

4. Today plate tectonics and continental drift are accepted as facts.
Why? Let’s see the evidence!

5. L.T: I can explain why the Earths crust changes
The box represents a conveyor belt. The drawings represent packages. Which person are the packages moving toward?
How do you know?
Packages are moving toward Joe, b/c the arrows on the top where the packages are placed on are moving toward Joe.
Joe
Kara

6. Convection current:
Hot water rises because it’s lighter. When it reaches the top then it cools and sinks because it gets heavier.

7. What Causes Plate Motion?
Convection currents within the Earth’s mantle cause the plates floating on it to move. This movement takes millions of years.
Similar to groceries on a conveyor
belt or a raft floating on a river.
Mantle
Plates
Next >

8. Introduction
Plates (tectonic plates): sections of the Earths crust which are constantly moving at a very slow speed.
This movement causes earthquakes, volcanoes, and the continents and oceans to move
Plate tectonics: the movement of the crust/lithosphere because of movement in the mantle. (convection currents)
Next >

10. The Earth’s crust is always moving!
Pangea
Pangea = Supercontinent (millions of years ago)

11. THIS IS NOT HOW EARTH LOOKS TODAY
WHAT IS THIS?
THIS IS NOT HOW EARTH LOOKS TODAY

12. Plate Tectonics The theory of plate tectonics was first proposed by
Alfred Wegener in Wegener noticed that the
shorelines of the continents seemed to ‘fit together’
like the pieces of a giant jig saw puzzle.
Wegener’s theory stated:
The continents were once all together in one
place forming a supercontinent, Pangea.
The continents broke apart and drifted to their
present locations.

13. Continental Drift: The gradual movement of the continents across the earth.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

14. The speed at which the plates move is about the speed at which your fingernails grow.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

15. In 1915, The German geologist Alfred Wegener (1880-1930) proposed continental drift.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

16. In 1915, The German geologist Alfred Wegener ( ) proposed continental drift. Not accepted until the 1950’s!
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

17. In 1915, The German geologist Alfred Wegener ( ) proposed continental drift. Not accepted until 1950’s!
“I say.” “Africa and South America fit strangely like two puzzle pieces.”
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

18. The shapes match.
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20. FOSSILS!
The remains or impression of a prehistoric organism (living thing: plant, animal, footprint)

21. Same fossils found on different continents
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25. The Same rock structures on different continents
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26. What is this a fossil of?
Where would you expect to find a specimen like this on the planet?
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

27. Answer! This is a fossilized tropical plant found on Antarctica.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

28. Answer! This is a fossilized tropical plant found on Antarctica.
Remember, the continents have moved and Antarctica use to be in a warmer climate.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

29. “Darn you continental Drift.”
Answer! This is a fossilized tropical plant found on Antarctica.
Remember, the continents have moved and Antarctica use to be in a warmer climate.
“Darn you continental Drift.”
“Darn you.”
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

30. Fossils of plants and animals in Antarctica
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32. CREATING PANGEA
Today you will be recreating Pangea using the fossil evidence.
With your group cut out the tectonic plates on your map and lay them on a piece of construction paper.
Use the fossil evidence to help you line up the plates.
Write your group members name on the construction paper.

33. Current Day + or – 4mm

35. What causes continental drift and plate tectonics?
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36. Answer! Convection currents (Remember heat rises) move the plates
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

37. Answer! Convection currents (Remember heat rises) move the plates
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

38. Answer! Convection currents (Remember heat rises) move the plates
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

39. Answer! Convection currents (Remember heat rises) move the plates
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

40. Which colored arrows are incorrect based on the convection current patterns and plate movements below?
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41. Answer! The blue arrows. The plates should be moving toward each other.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

42. Answer! The blue arrows. The plates should be moving toward each other.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

43. “Oh-no!” “We are trying it again.”

44. Try Again! Which colored arrows are incorrect based on the convection current patterns and plate movements below?
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

45. Answer! The purple arrows should be diverging instead of converging.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

46. Answer! The purple arrows should be diverging instead of converging.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

47. “Oh-no!” “We are trying it one more time.”

48. Try Again! Which colored arrows are incorrect based on the convection current patterns and plate movements below?
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

49. Answer! The light blue arrows should be diverging instead of converging.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

50. Answer! The light blue arrows should be diverging instead of converging.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

51. “Oh-no!” “We are trying it one more time.”

52. Try Again! Which colored arrows are the only correct on in the entire group.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

53. Try Again! Which colored arrows are the only correct on in the entire group.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

54. Let's sum up everything we've learned:
1) The earth's crust is divided into many pieces called tectonic
plates which move around over long periods of time.
2) Evidence for crustal movement includes:
a) The 'fit' of the continents.
b) Correlation of rock types from opposite shores.
c) Correlation of fossils from opposite shores.
d) Age of the sea floor (youngest near mid-ocean ridges
and oldest near the continents).
e) Paleomagnetism: zones of oppositely magnetized
rock on opposite sides of the mid ocean ridge.
f) Direct satellite and GPS measurement of continental
movement.
3) The force driving the plates are convection currents (density
differences) in the earth's mantle.