Edible Plate Tectonics

TECTONICS: From the Greek “tecton” – builder – architect The study of large features on Earth’s surface and the processes that formed them.

PLATE TECTONICS: Large features… – continents – ocean basins – mountain ranges and processes… – earthquakes – volcanic eruptions due to movement of plates of Earth’s outer shell

Parks and Plates ©2002 Robert J. Lillie

Using an Oreo Cookie Model How will an Oreo cookie help us model plate tectonics? What are some disadvantages of this model?

Divergent Plate Boundary Parks and Plates ©2002 Robert J. Lillie

Divergent Plate Boundary A divergent boundary or divergent plate boundary - constructive Linear feature that exists between two tectonic plates that are moving away from each other Divergent boundaries within continents initially produce rifts which produce rift valleys Most active divergent plate boundaries occur between oceanic plates and exist as mid- oceanic ridges Divergent boundaries also form volcanic islands which occur when the plates move apart to produce gaps which molten lava rises to fill

DIVERGENT Plate Boundary: Seafloor Spreading

DIVERGENT Plate Boundary

Convergent Plate Boundary

CONVERGENT Plate Boundary A convergent boundary - destructive plate boundary Two (or more) tectonic plates or fragments of lithosphere move toward one another and collide Pressure, friction, and plate material melt in the mantle Earthquakes and volcanoes are common near convergent boundaries A subduction zone or a continental collison

CONVERGENT Plate Boundary

Transform Plate Boundary Parks and Plates ©2002 Robert J. Lillie

Transform Plate Boundary A transform fault or transform boundary - conservative plate boundary These boundaries neither create nor destroy lithosphere The motion is predominantly horizontal in either direction Transform boundaries end abruptly and are connected on both ends to other faults, ridges, or subduction zones Most transform boundaries are hidden in the deep oceans where they form a series of short zigzags accommodating seafloor spreading

Transform Plate Boundary

North American Plate Pacific Plate Transform Plate Boundary

Reflection Choose one of the plate boundaries you learned about today and in complete sentences explain what happens as they move past each other.