Plate Tectonic Activity

Name: __________________________

Adapted from PBS Learning Media

http://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/ess05.sci.ess.earthsys.lp_platetectonics/plate-tectonics/

Goals: 1) To understand how Earth is dynamic and how moving plates form ocean basins,
mountain ranges, islands, volcanoes, and earthquakes. 2) To identify the three general
categories of plate boundaries recognized by scientists: convergent, divergent, and
transform. 3) To understand how the theory of plate tectonics was developed and
supported
According to the theory of plate tectonics, Earth's crust is composed of a number of
individual plates that change shape and position over time. Geophysical evidence indicates
that the face of Earth's surface has changed significantly since its initial formation and that
the plates on which the continents are located are in constant motion. The movement of the
plates is responsible for the formation of ocean basins, mountain ranges, islands,
volcanoes, and earthquakes. Important concepts in the theory of plate tectonics include the
following:
The ocean floors are continually moving spreading from the center, sinking at the
edges, and being regenerated.
Convection currents beneath the plates are responsible for plate movement. The source
of energy responsible for generating the heat and convection currents that move the
plates is most likely radioactivity deep in Earth's mantle.

Launch the following interactive: Tectonic Plates, Earthquakes, and Volcanoes

http://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/ess05.sci.ess.earthsys.tectonic/tecto
nic-plates-earthquakes-and-volcanoes/
Launch and click the overlay of all three views: earthquakes, volcanoes, and
plate boundaries.

1. What do you notice about the distribution of earthquakes and volcanoes on the map? Do you see
any correlations or patterns? What possible explanation exists for this? Explain using complete
sentences.

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Click on Mountain Maker, Earth Shaker

(http://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/ess05.sci.ess.earthsys.shake/mount
ain-maker-earth-shaker/ )Flash Interactive to learn about the different types of
boundaries
What happens when continental crust collides with continental crust?
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What is one feature on earth that formed as a result of this kind of collision?
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What happens when an oceanic and a continental plate collide?

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Why do volcanoes typically form near these boundaries?
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What feature forms at a divergent boundary?

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Where is earths longest mountain chain, and how long is it?
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What occurs along a transform boundary? ______________________________________

Which two plates move along the San Andreas Fault?
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How will movement along the San Andreas Fault affect the location of cities in California
in the future? _____________________________________________________________
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Watch the Plate Tectonics: The Hawaiian Archipelago

(http://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/ess05.sci.ess.earthsys.hawaii/platetectonics-the-hawai699ian-archipelago/ )QuickTimeVideo.
Answer the questions below:
1.What is a hot spot? __________________________________________
2.What does it mean to say that a volcano is dormant?
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