As plates move, the new crust gradually moves away from the ridge. Researchers agree that mantle convection and plate tectonics are part of the same system. Model results indicate convergence obliquity and presence of weak zones in the upper plate are key to formation of well. We also found evidence of transoceanic dispersal in lineages found across the australian, indomalayan, african, and madagascan regions.
Exploring evidence of plate tectonics using geomapapp this page and associated activities are authored by sean r. Plate tectonics bundle now with student workbook by. A plat e tectonic puzzle introduction the earths crust is not a solid shell. Transoceanic dispersal and plate tectonics shaped global. The theory of plate tectonics states that the earths solid outer crust, the lithosphere, is separated into plates that move over the asthenosphere, the molten upper portion of the. Chapter 1 plate tectonics power point linkedin slideshare. Pdf plate tectonics, our major paradigm for how the earth works, was established in the 1960ies. Plate tectonics student name 60 25 10 2 2 10 25 60 inspection copy for schools only. In 1977, after decades of tediously collecting and mapping ocean sonar data, scientists began to see a fairly accurate picture of the seafloor emerge. As the plate moves down into the asthenosphere it begins to melt. Convective flow in the rocky 2900kilometerthick mantle is the basic driving.
Plate tectonics plate tectonics is the unifying theory of geology and revolutionized geology cornerstone of earthsystem approach. Some of the deepest parts of the oceans are these trenches. He put together the evidence of ancient glaciations and the distribution of fossil to formulate a theory that the continents have moved over the. The following website contains a more detailed and lesson plans on plate tectonics, geodesy, and vlbi. Students will learn about the different types of plate boundaries, layers of the earth, how the earth came to be in its present state, evidence of earth formation and plate tectonics, and what geology is all about.
The theory explains the how and why behind mountains, volcanoes, and earthquakes, as well as how, long ago, similar animals could have lived at the same time on what are now widely separated continents. Tectonics presents original research articles that describe and explain the evolution. Plate tectonics, involving a globally linked system of lateral motion of rigid surface plates, is a characteristic feature of our planet, but estimates of how long it has been the modus operandi of lithospheric formation and interactions range from the hadean to the neoproterozoic. Seafloor spreading occurs at divergent plate boundaries which subsequently create midocean ridges. You will recall from a previous chapter that there are three. Whether youve loved the book or not, if you give your honest and detailed thoughts then people will find new books that are right for them. No one driving mechanism accounts for all major facets of plate tectonics.
The first evidence that the lithospheric plates did move came with the. Rubric for writing a scientific explanation plate tectonics explore 2 points awarded 2 1 0 claim answers the question, and is accurate based on data answers the question, but is inaccurate based. Plate tectonics new technology, new evidence spreading. Because the basic feature of plate tectonics is its circular argumentative structure circularity. Plate tectonics is the surface manifestation of mantle convection, but the large contrast in viscosities between the lithosphere and the deeper mantle leads to departures from a simple boiling pot. An andesitic source for jack hills zircon supports onset. Wegeners theory and sea floor maps were used to develop the theory of plate tectonics. Common core, ngss, and ca science standards for lesson 5. Along spreading centers in the sea floor, melted rock rises through cracks, cools, and. You will recall from a previous chapter that there are three major layers crust, mantle, core within the earth that are. Draw the symbol for each tectonic feature in the chart below divergent margins and spreading centers draw in black convergent margins subduction zone draw in blue transform faults strikeslip faults draw in green hot spot draw in red 2. Firstly, there was the rather obvious evidence of volcanoes spewing molten lava from their craters, which immediately raised the potential for the earth to have a hot molten core underneath the ground. These slabs are called tectonic plates and fit together like pieces to a puzzle.
The tharpheezen map illustrated the geological features that characterize the seafloor and became a crucial factor in the acceptance of the theories of plate tectonics and continental drift. Powerpoint click to download the ms powerpoint file 146 mbytes pdf click to view or download the presentation in pdf 5 mbytes ht ml cl ick to view the presentation in html format. In plate tectonics, a divergent boundary is a linear feature that exists between two tectonic plates that are moving away from each other. This is a unit study on plate tectonics in geology or earth science subject. Powerpoint presentations introducing fundamental concepts and observations of plate tectonics and earthquakes. A spacetime odyssey about the cosmic calendar to learn about how earths geoloic timeline fits into the history of the universe. Kiss resources for the australian curriculum science. This unit in the form of pdf file includes engaging, colorful, informative, visuall. This is because convection cell currents have not been proved conclusively to exist due to technological limitations we have never been able to get deep enough into earth to prove the theory. The idea that continents may have originally occupied different positions was not a new one, but wegener was the first to present the evidence in a diligent and scientific manner. Mar 21, 2020 plate tectonics, theory dealing with the dynamics of earths outer shell that revolutionized earth sciences by providing a uniform context for understanding mountainbuilding processes, volcanoes, and earthquakes as well as the evolution of earths surface and reconstructing its past continents and oceans. Evidence for continental drift suggests that widely separated continents were once joined together.
The evidence against plate tectonic theory is due to the mechanics of plate movement. Well, if the plates are rubbing against each other, then old rock will be pushed away from the plate boundary, while the new, younger rock replaces it. The earths plates jostle about in fits and starts that are punctuated with earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. This unit in the form of pdf file includes engaging, colorful, informative, visually stimulating and eyecatching photos and diagrams as. Sep 17, 2009 the theory of plate tectonics explains how plates and their continents move. Plate tectonics comprehension activity a stage 5 task, where students read an article on the evidence that supported the idea plate tectonics, and then answer a series of questions to check for comprehension of the text. A read is counted each time someone views a publication summary such as the title, abstract, and list of authors, clicks on a figure, or views or downloads the fulltext. The plate tectonics mapping activity allows students to easily begin to identify basic tectonic processes on a global scale. Connect the individual continent pieces as one large landmass based on the shapes of the landmasses.
The evidence for plate tectonics is very conclusive. The lid is the equivalent of the lithosphere in plate tectonics, formed of solid silicate minerals or solid ice in the case of icy planets and moons. The structure of the earth, plate tectonics and landforms. Ret 2006, rev 2 7 introduction to plate tectonic theory, geodesy, and vlbi the plate tectonic theory is a relatively new, accepted only around 50 years ago. During the 20th century, a major scientific concepttheory of plate tectonics. Plate tectonics comprehension science literacy and. This windows to the universe interactive webpage connects students to the study and understanding of plate tectonics, the.
Each type of interaction causes a characteristic set of earth structures or tectonic features. Other studies have suggested that plate tectonics was in a stopstart mode on the early earth 3,20 which would predict that key geochemical signatures e. In the early 1960s, the emergence of the theoryof plate tectonicsstarted a revolution in the earth sciences. Subduction model of uhp metamorphism as a proof of subduction. It is a very well supported theory, and while scientific debate continues about small parts or local effects, the overall concept is accepted as good as fact. It is made up of thick, interconnecting pieces called tectonic plates that fit together like a puzzle. Continental drift proposed that the continents were once.
The data and observations represented by the tharpheezen map became crucial factors in the acceptance of the theories of plate tectonics and continental drift. Plates are continuously being created and destroyed in an ongoing process. Plate tectonics describes the distribution and motion of the plates. As intracontinental plate convergence is a key modern platetectonic process, the development of the limpopo belt implies that the operation of plate tectonics, at least at a local scale, was ongoing by ca. As the plates pull apart, hot molten material can rise up this newly formed pathway to the surface causing volcanic activity.
Be able to discuss the evidence that supports the theory of plate tectonics including seafloor spreading and paleomagnetism. An andesitic source for jack hills zircon supports onset of. Use the correct color of washable marker to locate each tectonic feature on the map. Plate tectonics is the theory that earths outer layer is made up of plates, which have moved throughout earths history. Plate tectonics is an expression of the convective regime in the underlying mantle, but the link between individual convection cells and plate boundaries is not direct because plate boundaries are not fixed and, like the plates, move relative to one another. Plate tectonics information and facts national geographic.
This might appear to be convincing evidence of plate tectonics theory. May be used either as learning aids for teachers of earth science or edited by earth science teachers for classroom use. Caribbean plate was formed within the pacific, why is there no premesozoic basement in. Evidence from fossils, glaciers, and complementary coastlines helps reveal how plates once fit together. Plate tectonic theory arose out of the hypothesis of continental drift. Indeed, the notion that the entire earths surface is continually shifting has profoundly changed the way we view our world. Other readers will always be interested in your opinion of the books youve read. New oceanic crust is formed through magma rising through the gap and cooling. Take a digital photo of your final product to use later in this module.
These areas can form in the middle of continents or on the ocean floor. Evidence of plate tectonics exploring earthquakes it seems javascript is either disabled or not supported by your browser. Scientists have traveled all over the earth and found evidence that supports the ideas of plate tectonics. Dynamic earth kmz file for use with plate tectonics exercises kmz file 1. He reasoned that if the continents had once been joined, fossils of the same plants and animals should be found in areas that had once been connected. The german meteorologist alfred wegener 18801930 is largely credited with establishing the fundamentals of the theory that we now call plate tectonics. They move atop the underlying mantle, a really thick layer of hot flowing rock. We live on a layer of earth known as the lithosphere which is a collection of rigid slabs that are shifting and sliding into each other. Nov 19, 2019 subsequent thrusting accommodated 600 km of plate convergence, possibly driven by ridge push from the west side of the zkc.
Plate tectonics the earths crust is divided into plates which are moved in various directions. The grade 6 earth science unit on plate tectonics is presented to students through a series of investigations using indirect evidence models and direct evidence, experiments, active learning experiences, researching using a variety of sources, questions, and assessments. This plate motion causes them to collide, pull apart, or scrape against each other. Attempt has been made to cover various points on different plate tectonics theories. Seafloor spreading helps explain continental drift in the theory of plate tectonics. We now know that, directly or indirectly, plate tectonics influences nearly all geologic processes, past and present. Unit 6 plate tectonics ms lee earth science part 2. Scientists have long realised that the earth was not a solid ball of rock. This windows to the universe interactive webpage connects students to the study and understanding of plate tectonics, the main force that shapes our planets surface. Students investigate plate tectonic environments convergent, divergent, transform boundaries, topographybathymetry of continents and ocean basins, the distribution and pattern of earthquakes, the distribution of volcanoes, as well as ages of the seafloor, and more.
Pdf geological evidence for the operation of plate tectonics. The theory of plate tectonics grew out of earlier hypotheses and observations collected during exploration of the rocks of the ocean floor. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Plate tectonics explore 2 1 super evidence claim evidence reasoning. Earths tectonic platesmap showing earths major tectonic plates with arrows depicting the directions of plate movement. Pdf an andesitic source for jack hills zircon supports. Lid tectonics, commonly thought of as stagnant lid tectonics, is the type of tectonics that is believed to exist on several planets and moons in the solar system, and possibly existed on earth during the early part of its history. File type icon file name description size revision time user. Time frame two class periods 40 minutes each materials. The theory of plate tectonics explains how plates and their continents move. As intracontinental plate convergence is a key modern plate tectonic process, the development of the limpopo belt implies that the operation of plate tectonics, at least at a local scale, was ongoing by ca. They become familiar with these global data sets and understand how earths tectonic plates and plate boundaries are defined.
Crust mantle core crust lithosphere plate movement the crust is broken into plates that move. Along spreading centers in the sea floor, melted rock rises through cracks, cools, and forms new crust that builds up midocean ridges. In addition, the diving plate melts and is often spewed out in. We reconstructed the geographic ranges of ancestral cockroaches and found tentative support for vicariance through plate tectonics within and between several major lineages. Subsequent thrusting accommodated 600 km of plate convergence, possibly driven by ridge push from the west side of the zkc.
We now know that, directly or indirectly, plate tectonics influences nearly. This activity requires students to explore a range of datasets that help substantiate plate tectonic theory. Introduction to plate tectonic theory, geodesy, and vlbi. Pdf plate tectonics describes the horizontal motion of rigid lithospheric plates away from midoceanic ridges and parallel to transforms, towards. Lithosphere is divided into plates that slide around on top of the slowly moving mesosphere tectonic plates it occurred after the breakup of pangaea, and since then the continents.
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