Earth Science Plate Tectonics Chapter 12
The Structure of the Earth
The Structure of the Earth
The Structure of the Earth Crust: solid rock plates which float on the liquid mantle. Mantle: thickest layer, fluid, flows like “thick toothpaste” Outer Core: liquid, very hot, under fairly high pressure, mostly Fe & Ni. Inner Core: solid, under high pressure, mostly Fe.
The Structure of the Earth the rock plates are called “tectonic plates” and they are always in motion. The reason for this is the mantle’s CONVECTION CURRENTS Crust molten rock near the core heats up and rises. As it reaches the crust it cools and moves back down to the core, creating a circular current. Liquid Mantle
Tectonic plates
The Structure of the Earth
The Structure of the Earth
The Theory of Plate Tectonics Describes the idea that the Earth’s outer rigid shell is made up of moving plates the movement is responsible for volcanoes and earthquakes, mountain building, and ocean ridges. the plate boundaries have “fault zones” around them where many volcanoes & earthquakes occur.
The Theory of Plate Tectonics there are 3 kinds of faults (plate boundaries) colliding (moving together) (convergent) rifting (tearing apart) (divergent) sliding sideways (transform)
Examples: Convergent Boundary Oceanic - Continental
Examples: Convergent Boundary Oceanic - Oceanic
Examples: Convergent Boundary Continental - Continental
Examples: Divergent Boundary
Examples: Transform Boundary
Assignment Homework: Workbook Pages 210, 212, 218, 219