Plate Tectonics January 2012

Earth’s Plates The crust is the solid layer (also called the lithosphere) It is broken into pieces called tectonic plates. – The tectonic plates are like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. Plates intersect or meet at boundaries – Three different types of boundaries – Look at this picture, and draw each of the three types of boundaries. picture

Seafloor spreading Watch this animation.animation The Mid-Ocean Ridge is an example of a divergent boundary. – It can be seen from space. – It is on the ocean floor – Think: if the ocean floor spreads apart here, what must happen somewhere else?

Mountain making Convergent boundaries Plates move toward each other When they collide, one moves under the other Mountains are created Volcanoes occur Example in Hawaii

Plate movement is powerful! Mountain buildingEffects of plate movement

Transform boundaries No elevation, side to side onlyCalifornia’s San Andreas Fault

One more example of San Andreas power!

Now, it’s your turn! Read your text (pages 324 – 328, & 334 – 337.) Write your background paragraph telling how the Earth’s surface changes. Gather materials “Build” your mantle and crust Simulate the boundaries and their movement Can you make mountains, mid ocean ridges, and bend railroad tracks??

Homework Complete your reading of assigned text pages tonight (324 – 328, & 334 – 337). Write 3-4 sentences about the ways the Earth’s surface can change as a result of plate movement at boundaries. Come prepared to test your knowledge in our lab.