1. Title of Notes: Plate Tectonics
Pages in Notebook: 13 & 14 RS
Goal for the lesson (write on your self-assessment worksheet): I can describe the Earth’s crust and how tectonic plates move.

2. Make sure you have subduction zone in your bell work. Chapter 7

3. I’ll know I’ve got it when…
Goal for the lesson:
(Learning target)
I can describe the Earth’s crust and how tectonic plates move.
Today I am…
Learning about how the crust is broken into pieces.
So that I’ll be able to…
understand the Theory of Plate Tectonics.
I’ll know I’ve got it when…
I can write a short description of the Earth’s crust.

4. How do you think this meaning is appropriate for tectonic plates?
Greek origins
The word tectonic comes from the Greek word tektonikos meaning “builder.”
How do you think this meaning is appropriate for tectonic plates?

5. The Earth's crust solidified billions of years ago.
This crust is not a solid shell.
The Earth has 14 major tectonic plates and 38 minor tectonic plates. Largest = Pacific plate, Smallest = Indo-Australian plate

6. What are tectonic plates?
Pieces of the lithosphere that move around on top of the asthenosphere.

7. A giant jigsaw puzzle
Each tectonic plate fits with the other tectonic plates that surround it.

8. Quick facts about tectonic plates…
Composition: Various rocks.
Size: 50 – 250 miles thick (Can change over long periods of time)

9. Comparing density Continental Crust – granite Oceanic Crust – basalt
Density: Continental Crust < Oceanic Crust

10. All plates are the same size.
True or False?
All plates are the same size.

11. Some plates hold continental and oceanic crust
Some plates hold continental and oceanic crust. Some plates only hold oceanic crust or continental crust.

12. The Nazca plate holds only oceanic crust.

13. The North American plate holds an entire continent.

14. The African Plate holds continental and oceanic crust.

15. Theory of Continental Drift
Already Know
The continents used to be joined together (Pangaea) and drifted apart over time.

16. Already Know
The proof of sea-floor spreading supported Wegener’s theory that the continents move.

17. Theory of Plate Tectonics
The theory that the Earth’s lithosphere is divided into plates that move on top of the Asthenosphere.

18. Possible Force # 1 Convection
The process in which hot material rises while cooler material sinks.
Convection currents in the magma inside the mantle help drive plate tectonics

19. Possible Force # 2 Ridge Push
Plates slide down the lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary.
Gravitational sliding: Gravity causes the older, denser lithospheric plate to slide down the sloping asthenosphere away from the ridge.

20. Possible Force # 3 Slab pull
At a subduction zone the edge of the heavier and denser plate sinks and pulls the rest of the tectonic plate with it.

21. Notebook activity Title: Forces driving plate tectonics pg. 13 LS
Label and draw a picture of slab pull, convection, and ridge push.
Remember the picture is to help you better understand the forces behind plate tectonics

22. Reading! Video! IN CLASS Pg. 177 - 179
Plate tectonics (BrainPop) 7 minutes