March 29 th /30 th Unit 6: Earth Science Open-Minded Objective(s): 1.SWBAT describe how plate tectonics cause major geological events by performing a lab. Relevance: Tectonic plates are responsible for various dangerous geological events on Earth. Do Now: Four Square Do Now MATERIALS NEEDED: 1.Pencil 2.Unit 7, Lesson 6 Packet 3.Agenda

What is the theory of plate tectonics?What are the three types of plate boundaries? What major geological event is most likely to occur at a transform plate boundary? What plate boundary is represented by the picture below? Four-Square Do Now 5 min Silently fill in the table on your daily packet

Plate Tectonics The Earth’s outer layer (the crust/lithosphere) is separated into plates that have moved over time.

Materials 2 graham cracker squares (continental crust) ½ fruit roll-up (oceanic crust) Wax paper Large spoonful of frosting (asthenosphere) Spoon Cup of water

Types of Plate Boundaries We’re going to use these materials to recreate various plate boundaries using the materials. – Fruit roll-up – Oceanic Crust – Graham cracker – Continental Crust – Frosting - Asthenosphere

Divergent Plate Boundary a)Take two pieces of “oceanic crust.” Place two pieces of crust on the frosting with the edges touching. Pull the pieces apart. b)Draw your results c)Questions a)What happens to the molten rock as the two pieces of crust move away from each other? b)If new crust is being formed at divergent plate boundaries, why isn’t the Earth expanding?

Transform Plate Boundary Take two pieces of “continental crust.” Place them side by side on the frosting and slide them past one another. Draw your results. Questions – What happened to the edges of the graham crackers as they moved? – What does this action cause at transform plate boundaries? – How is a transform plate boundary different from a convergent and divergent?

Convergent Plate Boundary Take one piece of “oceanic crust” and one piece of “continental crust.” Line up the oceanic crust and continental crust on the frosting, making sure the oceanic crust is pressed firmly into the frosting and the continental crust is sitting lightly on it. Gently push the pieces together. Draw your results. Questions – Why did the continental crust sit higher on the frosting than the oceanic crust? – What happened to the oceanic crust when they were pushed together? – Did this process happen smoothly?

Convergent Plate Boundary Take two pieces of “continental crust.” Soften one edge of the graham cracker with water. Place the continental crust pieces on the frosting with the softened edges touching. Push the two pieces of crust together. Draw your results. Questions – What happened along the softened edges of the crust? – What forms along this plate boundary?

Current Divergent Plate Boundaries The most well-known divergent plate boundary is the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. It runs along the floor of the Atlantic ocean and is the longest mountain range in the world. The spreading rate of the ridge is about 2.5 cm per year.

Current Convergent Plate Boundaries Convergent plate boundaries are responsible for mountains, volcanoes, and even islands. Mount Everest, the tallest mountain in the world is a result of a convergent plate boundary. It continues to rise at about 3-5 mm every year. Mount St. Helen’s is an active volcano located in Washington State. It is a result of oceanic to continental convergence – a subduction zone. Hawaii is an interesting area because it was (and continues to be) formed from a hot spot.

Current Transform Plate Boundaries The San Andreas fault is a transform boundary that extends about 810 miles of California. The most notable earthquake that occurred here was in 1906 in San Francisco. It killed 3,000 people. The 2010 Haiti earthquake occurred because of a blind thrust fault associated with the Enriquillo-Plantain Garden fault zone. Death toll estimates from 100,000 to 160,000.

Plate Tectonic Theory – Putting it all together The lab allowed you to demonstrate an understanding of the ways in which the Earth’s layers play a role in plate tectonic theory.

Independent Practice Apply your knowledge from the snack lab to answer the questions about plate tectonics. Use the picture above to help guide your thinking. Answer in complete sentences. 20 min

Complete the exit ticket silently. TURN IN AS YOU LEAVE!! You may pack up your things. Exit Ticket

STOP Cards SSummarize: Summarize the day’s lesson and what we learned. TTrait: What IB trait relates to the lesson? OObjective: Re-state in your own words and say whether or not we met that objective for the day. PPurpose: What was the purpose of this lesson?