Notes: Plate Tectonics

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Notes: Plate Tectonics There are three types of plate boundaries: divergent, convergent, and transform 1. Divergent Boundary: occurs between plates that are separating most divergent boundaries are between 2 oceanic plates and occur at the mid-ocean ridge; some geographic examples of places where this is happening are the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and the East Pacific Rise The Great Rift Valley in Africa is a geographic example of a continental-continental divergent boundary where the African continent is being broken into smaller plates 2. Convergent Boundary: occurs between two plates that are coming together; there are 2 kinds of convergent boundaries – subduction and collision A. Subduction Possible plate combinations are oceanic-continental or oceanic-oceanic the denser and thinner plate buckles down under the less dense plate, plunges down (gets subducted) into the mantle and melts; a trench forms at the place where the plates meet and one goes under the other Volcanoes usually form on the overriding plate (sometimes mountains form) Geographic examples are the Mariana Trench and the Aleutian Trench B. Collision Occurs where 2 continental plates come together Forms high mountain ranges Geographic examples are the Himalayas and the Appalachians 3. Transform Boundary: occurs where plates slide past each other, usually in opposite directions but can be in the same direction but at different rates This type of boundary causes lots of earthquakes and faults A geographic example is the San Andreas Fault in California .

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PLATE TECTONICS.Docx
GTheory of Plate Tectonics Critique and interpret major types of evidence supporting the Theory of Plate Tectonics. Plate tectonics is the most important concept in modern geology. This section will introduce you to the concept of plate tectonics, how it works, why it is important and how it is shaping the world today. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN TO DO · Describe and compare different types of plate motions, rates of motion and the driving mechanisms and forces involved with each. · Know the role of technology in Plate Tectonics. Theory of Plate Tectonics When the concept of seafloor spreading came along, scientists recognized that it was the mechanism to explain how continents could move around Earth’s surface. Like the scientists before us, we will now merge the ideas of continental drift and seafloor spreading into the theory of plate tectonics. Earth’s Tectonic Plates Seafloor and continents move around on Earth’s surface, but what is actually moving? What portion of the Earth makes up the “plates” in plate tectonics? This question was also answered because of technology developed during war times – in this case, the Cold War. The plates are made up of the lithosphere. Figure 1. Earthquakes outline the plates. During the 1950s and early 1960s, scientists set up seismograph networks to see if enemy nations were testing atomic bombs. These seismographs also recorded all of the earthquakes around the planet. The seismic records could be used to locate an earthquake’s epicentre, the point on Earth’s surface directly above the place where the earthquake occurs. Earthquake epicentres outline the plates.
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Plate Tectonics Says That Earth’S Plates Move Because of Convection Currents in the Mantle
Bellringer Which ocean is getting smaller and which ocean is getting bigger due to subduction and sea ﬂoor spreading? Plate Tectonic Theory Notes How Plates Move • Earth’s crust is broken into many jagged pieces. The surface is like the shell of a hard-boiled egg that has been rolled. The pieces of Earth’s crust are called plates. Plates carry continents, oceans ﬂoors, or both. How Plates Move • The theory of plate tectonics says that Earth’s plates move because of convection currents in the mantle. Currents in the mantle carry plates on Earth’s surface, like currents in water carry boats on a river, or Cheerios in milk. How Plates Move • Plates can meet in three different ways. Plates may pull apart, push together, or slide past each other. Wherever plates meet, you usually get volcanoes, mountain ranges, or ocean trenches. Plate Boundaries • A plate boundary is where two plates meet. Faults form along plate boundaries. A fault is a break in Earth’s crust where blocks of rock have slipped past each other. Plate Boundaries • Where two plates move apart, the boundary is called a divergent boundary. • A divergent boundary between two oceanic plates will result in a mid-ocean ridge AND rift valley. (SEE: Sea-Floor Spreading) • A divergent boundary between two continental plates will result in only a rift valley. This is currently happening at the Great Rift Valley in east Africa. Eventually, the Indian Ocean will pour into the lowered valley and a new ocean will form. Plate Boundaries • Where two plates push together, the boundary is called a convergent boundary.
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Plate Tectonics Passport
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Global Tectonics and Geohazards Courtesy of Jim Peaco/Yellowston National Park
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Open Diefendorf Msthesis.Pdf
The Pennsylvania State University The Graduate School College of Education STUDENTS’ WRITTEN ARGUMENTATION STRUCTURE FROM AN INTRODUCTORY OCEANOGRAPHY COURSE: ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION A Thesis in Curriculum and Instruction by Emily Jane Diefendorf © 2008 Emily Jane Diefendorf Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science May 2008 The thesis of Emily Jane Diefendorf was reviewed and approved* by the following: Gregory J. Kelly Professor of Education Thesis Advisor Head of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction Scott McDonald Assistant Professor of Education Carla Zembal-Saul Associate Professor of Education *Signatures are on file in the Graduate School. ii ABSTRACT Students’ written argumentation structure from an introductory oceanography course: Analysis and Evaluation The purpose of this study was to examine ways that students create arguments derived from inscriptions, expertise, and data. The context of this study was an introductory oceanography course with an emphasis on writing that was mainly composed of non- science majors. During the course, students wrote evidence-based arguments on such issues as plate tectonics, monsoons of India, climate change, and fishery health. A random sample of fifteen students’ papers for each of the four written arguments was analyzed to evaluate the students’ construction of evidence and the overall quality of the arguments, which was used to compare across students and assignments. Results reveal students were only partially able to write plausible arguments in the scientific genre. Students used inscriptions, data, and expertise to introduce lines of reasoning, but were often unable to engage in the theoretical aspects of constructing valid scientific arguments.
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Lecture-Tutorials
Lecture-Tutorials For Introductory Geoscience By: Karen Kortz Jessica Smay Full Table of Contents Plate Tectonics and Earth’s Interior 1. Tectonic Plates and Boundaries……………………………………………… 1 2. Seafloor Ages………………………………………………………………….. 3 3. Subduction at Convergent Plate Boundaries…..…………………………… 5 4. Plate Boundaries in Oceans..………………………………………………… 9 5. History of an Ocean………………………………………………………….. 11 6. Features on the Ocean Floor……………………………………...…….….. 13 7. Melting Rocks and Plate Tectonics………………………………………….. 15 8. The Outer Core………………………………………..……………………….. 19 9. Magma Source Depth…..……………………………..………………………. 21 Rocks and Their Formation 10. Mineral Groups……………………………………………………………….. 23 11. The Rock Cycle……………………………………………………………….. 25 12. Rock Types on Other Planets...………………………………….……..…... 27 13. Identifying Igneous Rocks.………………………..…….………….…….…. 29 14. Igneous Rock Mineral Size………………………..……………….………... 31 15. Explosive and Peaceful Volcanoes…..…………..………………..…......... 33 16. Volcanoes on Other Planets ………………..……...……………....………. 35 17. Sediments and Sedimentary Rocks………………………………………… 39 18. Sedimentary Depositional Environments………………………………….. 41 19. Sedimentary Facies.................................................................................. 43 20. Metamorphic Rocks………………………………………………………….. 45 21. The History of Metamorphic Rocks.………..….………….…...…….…….. 47 Geologic Landforms and Processes 22. Topographic Profiles…………………………………………………………. 49 23. Planet Surface Features…......…………………………………...……….… 51 24. Earthquake Intensity and Magnitude……………………………………….
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This Dynamic Earth in January of 1992
View of the planet Earth from the Apollo spacecraft. The Red Sea, which separates Saudi Arabia from the continent of Africa, is clearly visible at the top. (Photograph courtesy of NASA.) Contents Preface Historical perspective Developing the theory Understanding plate motions "Hotspots": Mantle Some unanswered questions Plate tectonics and people Endnotes thermal plumes 1 of 77 2002-01-01 11:52 This pdf-version was edited by Peter Lindeberg in December 2001. Any deviation from the original text is non-intentional. This book was originally published in paper form in February 1996 (design and coordination by Martha Kiger; illustrations and production by Jane Russell). It is for sale for $7 from: U.S. Government Printing Office Superintendent of Documents, Mail Stop SSOP Washington, DC 20402-9328 or it can be ordered directly from the U.S. Geological Survey: Call toll-free 1-888-ASK-USGS Or write to USGS Information Services Box 25286, Building 810 Denver Federal Center Denver, CO 80225 303-202-4700; Fax 303-202-4693 ISBN 0-16-048220-8 Version 1.08 The online edition contains all text from the original book in its entirety. Some figures have been modified to enhance legibility at screen resolutions. Many of the images in this book are available in high resolution from the USGS Media for Science page. USGS Home Page URL: http://pubs.usgs.gov/publications/text/dynamic.html Last updated: 01.29.01 Contact: [email protected] 2 of 77 2002-01-01 11:52 In the early 1960s, the emergence of the theory of plate tectonics started a revolution in the earth sciences.
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What's the Difference?
New Zealand American Submarine Ring of Fire 2007 What’s The Difference? FOCUS SEATING ARRANGEMENT Volcanic processes at convergent and divergent Classroom style if students are working individu- tectonic plate boundaries ally, or groups of two to four students GRADE LEVEL MAXIMUM NUMBER OF STUDENTS 9-12 (Earth Science) 30 FOCUS QUESTION KEY WORDS How do volcanic processes differ at convergent Volcano and divergent tectonic plate boundaries? Caldera Hot spot LEARNING OBJECTIVES Ring of Fire Students will be able to compare and contrast Asthenosphere volcanoes at convergent and divergent plate Lithosphere boundaries. Magma Fault Students will be able to identify three geologic Transform boundary features that are associated with most volcanoes Convergent boundary on Earth. Divergent boundary Subduction Students will be able to explain why some volca- Tectonic plate noes erupt explosively while others do not. BACKGROUND INFORMATION MATERIALS The Submarine Ring of Fire is an arc of active vol- Copies of “Submarine Volcanism Worksheet,” canoes that partially encircles the Pacific Ocean one copy for each student or student group Basin, including the Kermadec and Mariana Islands in the western Pacific, the Aleutian Islands AUDIO/VISUAL MATERIALS between the Pacific and Bering Sea, the Cascade (Optional) Computer projection equipment to Mountains in western North America, and numer- show downloaded video materials ous volcanoes on the western coasts of Central America and South America. These volcanoes TEACHING TIME result from the motion of
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Plate Tectonics
Plate Tectonics Introduction Continental Drift Seafloor Spreading Plate Tectonics Divergent Plate Boundaries Convergent Plate Boundaries Transform Plate Boundaries Summary This curious world we inhabit is more wonderful than convenient; more beautiful than it is useful; it is more to be admired and enjoyed than used. Henry David Thoreau Introduction • Earth's lithosphere is divided into mobile plates. • Plate tectonics describes the distribution and motion of the plates. • The theory of plate tectonics grew out of earlier hypotheses and observations collected during exploration of the rocks of the ocean floor. You will recall from a previous chapter that there are three major layers (crust, mantle, core) within the earth that are identified on the basis of their different compositions (Fig. 1). The uppermost mantle and crust can be subdivided vertically into two layers with contrasting mechanical (physical) properties. The outer layer, the lithosphere, is composed of the crust and uppermost mantle and forms a rigid outer shell down to a depth of approximately 100 km (63 miles). The underlying asthenosphere is composed of partially melted rocks in the upper mantle that acts in a plastic manner on long time scales. Figure 1. The The asthenosphere extends from about 100 to 300 km (63-189 outermost part of miles) depth. The theory of plate tectonics proposes that the Earth is divided lithosphere is divided into a series of plates that fit together like into two the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. mechanical layers, the lithosphere and Although plate tectonics is a relatively young idea in asthenosphere. comparison with unifying theories from other sciences (e.g., law of gravity, theory of evolution), some of the basic observations that represent the foundation of the theory were made many centuries ago when the first maps of the Atlantic Ocean were drawn.
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