Plate Tectonics

Warm-Up What evidence do we have that supports the idea of one giant supercontinent (Pangaea)? Cite evidence from Alfred Wegner’s findings. What force is causing the Earth’s plates to move?

How is this possible?!?!?

Objective By the end of class you will…. Be able to identify the three different types of plate boundaries.

3 Types of Plate Boundaries Convergent Divergent Transform

Convergent Boundary: plates are moving toward each other and are colliding (3 types)

When a continental plate collides with another continental plate Mountain ranges are created (example: Himalayan Mountains)

The Himalayas Himalayas and Mt. Everest continue to grow about 1-4 inches per year!

When Oceanic Plates collide with Continental Plates Create subduction zones or trenches Create near coast volcanoes Example Ring of Fire!

When ocean plates collide with other ocean plates Island arcs are created (a pattern of volcanic islands created from a subduction zone that is located off the coast)

Aleutian Islands

Plate Boundaries Divergent boundary: Plates are moving away from each other

Plate Boundaries Divergent boundary:

Transform Fault Boundary Plates are neither moving toward nor away from each other, they are moving past one another.

Transform Fault Boundary The plates may move in opposite directions or in the same directions but at different rates and frequent earthquakes are created! (example: San Andreas Fault)

San Andreas Fault

Let’s Play Name That Boundary!

North American Plate Pacific Plate

How can Oreos model the plate boundaries? Very carefully, take just the top cookie off the Oreo. Break the top cookie into 2 equal halves. Replace the cookie halves back on the Oreo Using the cookie, Demonstrate a transform fault boundary Demonstrate a divergent plate boundary Demonstrate a convergent plate boundary

Quiz Time!