Plate Tectonics
Level 11 Guiding Question: How has Plate Tectonics played a role in shaping our ecosystems?
Click on the "Plate Tectonics" Chapter button to read it and be prepared to complete the "earthquake lab" below.
Level 11 Investigation: Evidence supporting the theory of plate tectonics
Plate Tectonic Lab
In this activity, you will be observing several different types of data in order to design a conjecture that supports the theory of plate tectonics developed by Wegener. You will use their critical thinking skills to create and support a theory that corroborates the concept of plate tectonics, as well as continental drift, using the provided data as evidence for plate movement. In addition, you will explore several different concepts as evidence for plate tectonic activity: fossil and glacier deposits, elevation and bathymetry, sea floor age, earthquakes, and volcanoes. The following videos will provide the how to set up the "EVIDENCE FOR PLATE MOVEMENT" lab for the My World GIS activity on your desktop computer.
Level 11 Videos: Evidence for Plate Tectonics
Evidence for Plate Tectonics
Plate tectonics is a relatively new scientific concept, introduced some 30 years ago, but it has revolutionized our understanding of the dynamic planet upon which we live. The theory has unified the study of the Earth by drawing together many branches of the earth sciences, from paleontology (the study of fossils) to seismology (the study of earthquakes). It has provided explanations to questions that scientists had speculated upon for centuries -- such as why earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur in very specific areas around the world, and how and why great mountain ranges like the Alps and Himalayas formed.
Level 11 Videos: Evidence for Plate Tectonics (fossils)
Fossil data that supports plate tectonics
In Wegener's mind, the drifting of continents after the break-up of Pangaea explained not only the matching fossil occurrences but also the evidence of dramatic climate changes on some continents. For example, the discovery of fossils of tropical plants (in the form of coal deposits) in Antarctica led to the conclusion that this frozen land previously must have been situated closer to the equator in a more temperate climate where lush, swampy vegetation could grow. Other mismatches of geology and climate included distinctive fossil ferns (Glossopteris) discovered in now-polar regions, and the occurrence of glacial deposits in present-day arid Africa, such as the Vaal River valley of South Africa.
Level 11 Videos: Evidence for Plate Tectonics (volcanoes)
Volcano data that supports plate tectonics
The theory of plate tectonics states that the Earth's outermost layer is fragmented into a dozen or more large and small plates that are moving relative to one another as they ride atop hotter, more mobile material. Before the advent of plate tectonics, however, some people already believed that the present-day continents were the fragmented pieces of pre-existing larger landmasses ("supercontinents").
Bathymetry data that supports plate tectonics
Bathymetry is the study of underwater depth of lake or ocean floors. You will investigate plate tectonic environments (convergent, divergent, transform boundaries), topography/bathymetry of continents and ocean basins, the distribution and pattern of earthquakes, the distribution of volcanoes, as well as ages of the sea-floor, and more.
Sea floor data the supports plate tectonics
Very large structures in the deep oceans may be studied without the effects of the weathering that tends to obscure continental features over long time periods. These large structures include deep trenches and long ridges where new material is added to the seafloor. These features can be successfully modeled with plate tectonics.
Level 11 Elaborate: Making a Google slide presentation
For this assignment you and one partner are to construct a Google Slide presentation and please share edit privledges with one another. The presentation is to showcase your research for Plate Tectonics Theory evidence that you and your partner have discovered after using My World GIS software. Your goal to show how your evidence suggests that there are plates that move.
Rubric for Google Slides Presentation
Level 11 Review: Practice your knowledged on Plate Tectonics
Level 11 Summary: Unit Test on Plate Tectonics
Click the button entitled, "Unit Test for Plate Tectonics" so that you can take the 20 multiple choice test. To correct the test please up your email and the instructor's email in the appropriate boxes and click submit.