Plate Interactions Tectonic Plate Theory

Definition of Plate Tectonics Plate Tectonics is the theory that Earth’s lithosphere is broken into about 20 plates that move on top of the asthenosphere.

Map of the Plates

Questions 1-3 Use the map to answer the following questions. Put your answers on the back of the map. 1. What is the name of the plate that we live on? 2. About where on the plate is New York City (on the edge, near the edge, in the middle)? 3. What cities in the United States are on the edge of a plate?

The Plates Are Moving! Evidence to Support Plate Tectonics 1. Puzzle-like fit of continents

Shape of Continents

The Plates Are Moving! Evidence to Support Plate Tectonics 1. Puzzle-like fit of continents 2. Fossils of same species of plants and animals on various continents

Fossil Evidence

The Plates Are Moving! Evidence to Support Plate Tectonics 1. Puzzle-like fit of continents 2. Fossils of same species of plants and animals on various continents 3. Glacial grooves that match across continents

Glacial Grooves

The Plates Are Moving! Evidence to Support Plate Tectonics 1. Puzzle-like fit of continents 2. Fossils of same species of plants and animals on various continents 3. Glacial grooves that match across continents 4. Coal in cold climates

Coal in Antarctica

The Plates Are Moving! Evidence to Support Plate Tectonics 1. Puzzle-like fit of continents 2. Fossils of same species of plants and animals on various continents 3. Glacial grooves that match across continents 4. Coal in cold climates 5. Earthquake boundaries that match the tectonic plate boundaries

Earthquakes Looking at the boundaries of earthquakes around the world… There is a lot in common to those plate boundaries!!!

Questions 4-7 Use the map to answer the following questions. Put your answers on the back of the map. 4. Between the west coast of the North American plate and the northeastern part of the Pacific plate, the plates are moving in what way? 5. What do we have a lot of in this part of the world? 6. Between the African Plate and the North American plate, the arrows show the plates moving in what way? 7. What do you think might be occurring there?

More Evidence: Seafloor Spreading

Visualization of SeaFloor Spreading erc/content/visualizations/es0803/es0803page01.cfm?chapter_no=visualization

 8. What type of movement is happening between the plates of the Atlantic’s sea floor?  9. Which two plates are pulling apart to create the Mid-Atlantic Ridge?  10. What are 2 Earth features that are pieces of evidence that the plates are pulling apart at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge? Questions Use the map to answer the following questions. Put your answers on the back of the map.

Types of Plate Boundaries Convergent (Coming Together) Divergent (Dividing Apart) Transform (Slipping Past)

Converge!

Diverge!

Transform!

Questions Use the map to answer the following questions. Put your answers on the back of the map. 11. What are the three types of plate boundaries? 12. Which boundary is the most un-common?

Convergent Boundaries Definition: Two plates move into one another Two Types of Convergent Boundaries 1. Continent to Continent 2. Subduction Zone

Subduction Zone

Formation of Andes Mountains  Nazca plate is moving under South American plate - this is called subduction  Nazca plate is ocean crust and therefore more dense, it sinks below the continental crust

Continent-to-Continent Collisions

Continent-to-Continent Collision…. Formation of Himalayas  Indo-Australian plate moved into Eurasian plate  Eurasian plate began to crumble up  Over millions of years, Himalayas were built and continue to grow today

Divergent Boundaries Definition - when two plates move apart Example: Mid- Atlantic Ridge Ocean floor is growing as the plates move apart

Transform Boundary

Hot Spots - Volcanoes in the middle of plates