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Slide 1 / 107 6th Grade Earth's Systems Part 2: Plate Tectonics and Natural Disasters 2015-10-15 www.njctl.org Slide 2 / 107 Table of Contents: Plate Tectonics and Natural Hazards · Pangaea · Energy Flow · Natural Disasters Click on the topic to go to that section · Types of Plate Interactions and the Results Slide 3 / 107

6th Grade - NJCTLcontent.njctl.org/courses/science/6th-grade-science/...2015/11/02  · Plate Tectonics Scientists in the 1960s worked to prove Wegener's idea and developed the theory

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Page 1: 6th Grade - NJCTLcontent.njctl.org/courses/science/6th-grade-science/...2015/11/02  · Plate Tectonics Scientists in the 1960s worked to prove Wegener's idea and developed the theory

Slide 1 / 107

6th Grade

Earth's SystemsPart 2: Plate Tectonics and Natural Disasters

2015-10-15

www.njctl.org

Slide 2 / 107

Table of Contents: Plate Tectonics andNatural Hazards

· Pangaea

· Energy Flow

· Natural Disasters

Click on the topic to go to that section

· Types of Plate Interactions and the Results

Slide 3 / 107

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Pangaea

Return to Tableof Contents

Slide 4 / 107

Plate Tectonics Intro Lab

At this point in your life, you are probably very familiar with this map of our Earth's appearance.

Throughout human history, the continents have been positioned just like you see above. Fossil records hint at

something different though. Complete the activity to learn more!

Image: NASA

Slide 5 / 107

Activity Follow-up - Similar Fossils

In the last activity, you saw that areas that are very far away from each other above ended up having similar fossils. Many of the areas that match up are even separated by an ocean!

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Match Up the Excavation PairsMove the place on the right to match the one on the left.

Southport, SC, USA

Natal, Brazil

Algiers, Algeria

Western Antarctica

Easter Antarctica

Dakar, Senegal

Lagos, NigeriaBarcelona, Spain

Dar es Salam, Tanzania

Darwin, Australia

Slide 7 / 107

Match Up the Excavation PairsMove the place on the right to match the one on the left.

Southport, SC, USA

Natal, Brazil

Algiers, Algeria

Western Antarctica

Easter Antarctica

Dakar, Senegal

Lagos, NigeriaBarcelona, Spain

Dar es Salam, Tanzania

Darwin, Australia[This object is a pull tab]

Ans

wer

Slide 7 (Answer) / 107

Possible Hypotheses:

Below, record some of the hypotheses proposed that tried to explain the mystery of the common fossils:

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Continental Drift

Scientists have tried for years to solve this mystery. One proposed theory is known ascontinental drift. This concept was first presented by a German scientist named Alfred Wegener in 1912.

Wegener theorized that all of the continentswere once connected in one large land mass.He stated that the land then "drifted" apart,forming the land we see today.

Slide 9 / 107

Continental Drift

Although Wegener provided much evidence supporting his theory, he did not yet know what caused the continents to seemingly travelacross the oceans.

?

Slide 10 / 107

Plate Tectonics

Scientists in the 1960s worked to prove Wegener's idea and

developed the theory of plate tectonics. This theory states

that the Earth's surface is broken into large, rigid pieces (called

plates) that move independently of each other.

What do you think happens when these plates move around the

surface of Earth?

Talk at your table to come up with some ideas.

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Plate Tectonics

It is the movement of these plates that cause changes in the

Earth's geographical features, including mountains and

volcanoes, as well as the shapes of the continents.

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1 What is the outermost layer of Earth called?

A Mantle

B Crust

C Inner Core

D Outer Core

Slide 13 / 107

1 What is the outermost layer of Earth called?

A Mantle

B Crust

C Inner Core

D Outer Core[This object is a pull tab]

Ans

wer

B

Slide 13 (Answer) / 107

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2 What is the thinnest layer of Earth called?

A Mantle

B Crust

C Inner Core

D Outer Core

Slide 14 / 107

2 What is the thinnest layer of Earth called?

A Mantle

B Crust

C Inner Core

D Outer Core[This object is a pull tab]

Ans

wer

B

Slide 14 (Answer) / 107

The Continents of the World

Antarctica

North America

Australia

South America

Asia

Africa

Europe

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The Continents of the World

Antarctica

North America

Australia

South America

Asia

Africa

Europe

[This object is a pull tab]

Teac

her N

otes

Drag the continent names to the correct spot on the world map above:

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Europe/Asia

N. America

S. AmericaAfrica

Antarctica

Australia

PangaeaCompare the map on the previous page to the one below. The green represents land and the modern continents are outlined:

What similarities / differences do you see

between the two images?

Slide 16 / 107

Pangaea

Wegener's theory of continental drift popularized the idea that there was once a "supercontinent," now called Pangaea.

This large land mass broke apart slowly over 200 million years ago, creating the continents that we see today.

The image on the left gives you an idea of how this transition happened.

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Think Back on Our Activity...

How can we use the theory of the Pangaea supercontinent to explain the results of our fossil activity from earlier in this unit?

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Evidence of Pangaea

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3 Similar Mesosaurus fossils would be found in which two areas?

A Africa and India

B Australia and South America

C Antarctica and Africa

D South America and Africa

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3 Similar Mesosaurus fossils would be found in which two areas?

A Africa and India

B Australia and South America

C Antarctica and Africa

D South America and Africa[This object is a pull tab]

Ans

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D

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Evidence of Pangaea

Even though the continents shown above are now many

miles apart, when they were all together as one supercontinent,

Pangaea, the plants and animals were able to spread

across these modern barriers.

This causes there to be similar fossils in these now far-apart continents.

Slide 21 / 107

Evidence of Pangaea

Do you think you can still find this plant there? Why or why not?

Notice that a fern plant called

Glossopteris once inhabited the land

that is now Antarctica.

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Evidence of Pangaea

There are non-living clues that support this theory as well. The rocks that make up our Earth hint at the fact that Pangaea once

existed.

For example, the Appalachian Mountains in North America and the Caledonian Mountains in Europe are similar in age and structure and

are made of the same rock types.

Appalachian Mountains Caledonian Mountains

Slide 23 / 107

4 Which can be used as an indicator of past climate and weather?

A Fossils

B Lava flow

C Mountain ranges

D Ocean tides

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4 Which can be used as an indicator of past climate and weather?

A Fossils

B Lava flow

C Mountain ranges

D Ocean tides

[This object is a pull tab]

Ans

wer

A

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5 Which of the following can be used to show continents used to be next to each other in Pangea?

A Fossils

B Similar Animals

C Mountain ranges

D all of the above

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5 Which of the following can be used to show continents used to be next to each other in Pangea?

A Fossils

B Similar Animals

C Mountain ranges

D all of the above

[This object is a pull tab]

Ans

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D

Slide 25 (Answer) / 107

Motion of the Continents

Pangaea was not the only supercontinent that has formed on Earth, but it is the most recent one.

The image above shows how the land was distributed around 600 million years ago. 200-300 million years before Pangaea!

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Activity - Changes in the Land

The continents below are still moving but we don't notice a difference because of how slow the changes are.

Use the accompanying worksheet to determine how quickly our excavation sites from the introduction activity are moving apart.

Slide 27 / 107

6 Which of the following statements is NOT evidence of continental drift?

A Similar fossils

B Matching coastlines

C Similar present-day weather

D Matching mountain ranges

Slide 28 / 107

6 Which of the following statements is NOT evidence of continental drift?

A Similar fossils

B Matching coastlines

C Similar present-day weather

D Matching mountain ranges

[This object is a pull tab]

Ans

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C

Slide 28 (Answer) / 107

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Energy Flow

Return to Tableof Contents

Slide 29 / 107

The Energy of the Earth

Earth's energy comes from two different places.What are those 2 places?

Slide 30 / 107

Solar EnergyWe have discussed previously how the energy from the Sun

(a/k/a solar energy) impacts Earth. Use the pictures and the lines below to list 3 ways Earth's organisms use energy from the Sun.

__________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

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Earth's Internal Energy

The energy needed to cause the changes seen in our last section though comes from beneath the surface of Earth.

The heat of the inner core, outer core and mantle is linked to many large scale Earth processes such as plate tectonics, geysers, and volcanic eruptions.

Slide 32 / 107

Convection in the Earth's Mantle

The materials in Earth's mantle are constantly in motion.

As you travel through the mantle, the temperature

changes.

To distribute this heat evenly, there are convection currents that move between the warmer

and cooler sections.

These currents are able to travel through the semi-solid rock in the mantle, causing changes to the land above.

Slide 33 / 107

Heat Transfer: ConvectionYou may have heard the term "convection" before in reference to a convection oven:

Convection refers to the warming of a substance caused by the circulation of different temperatures of air.

In a convection oven, a fan helps circulate the warm and cool air so that the food inside heats evenly.

Slide 34 / 107

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Differences in Air Temperature

The process of convection works because warm air and cool air behave differently.

Think back on your fire safety rules.. if there is smoke in a room, why is it important that Sparky in the picture below gets as low to the floor as possible?

Slide 35 / 107

Warm vs Cool AirAs air temperature changes, so does its density and its behavior.

Warm air rises .

Cool air sinks .

This same phenomenon happens with all gases and liquids (such as ocean water) and also happens in the semi-solid mantle of Earth.

Slide 36 / 107

Outer Core

Convection in Earth's Mantle

Because the Outer Core of Earth is so hot, the material that is

close to that point will warm up. As it warms, it becomes less dense,

causing it to rise closer to the surface.

Follow the arrows above to track the convection in Earth's mantle.

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Convection in Earth's Mantle

As the substances get closer to the surface of Earth, they cool

down, become more dense and what happens?

(Notice that the substances within the Earth have a circular motion.. not straight up and down!)

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The Convection Current ContinuesThis process will continue to repeat endlessly.

The motion of these currents causes massive changes to the land above, which we will learn about the in the next section.

Core

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7 Which of the following statements best explains why plates move?

AHeat from the Sun provides the energy for them to move.

BThe ocean pushes on the plates causing them to shift.

C Volcanoes flow over the land forcing them to move.

D Heat in the mantle causes plates to slide.

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7 Which of the following statements best explains why plates move?

AHeat from the Sun provides the energy for them to move.

BThe ocean pushes on the plates causing them to shift.

C Volcanoes flow over the land forcing them to move.

D Heat in the mantle causes plates to slide.

[This object is a pull tab]

Ans

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D

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8 Which statement is correct?

A Hot substances rise.

B Cold substances rise.

C Materials with lower densities sink.

D Materials with higher densities float.

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8 Which statement is correct?

A Hot substances rise.

B Cold substances rise.

C Materials with lower densities sink.

D Materials with higher densities float.

[This object is a pull tab]

Ans

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A

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9 Materials in Earth's mantle move in a circular direction.

True

False

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9 Materials in Earth's mantle move in a circular direction.

True

False

[This object is a pull tab]

Ans

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True

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Types of Plate Interactions and the

Results

Return to Tableof Contents

Slide 43 / 107

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Earth's Plates

The surface of Earth is broken up into 15 major plates that are a part of the lithosphere.

These plates fit together like a jigsaw puzzle and are in constant motion.

Slide 44 / 107

10 Review: Tectonic plates move due to ________.

A convection currents

B Earth's increasing size

C magnetic reversals

D volcanic activity

Slide 45 / 107

10 Review: Tectonic plates move due to ________.

A convection currents

B Earth's increasing size

C magnetic reversals

D volcanic activity

[This object is a pull tab]

Ans

wer

A

Slide 45 (Answer) / 107

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Plate Boundaries

The black lines on the previous slide are the dividing lines between each of the plates.

Any two adjacent plates can interact in one of the following ways seen below:

Note: "Adjacent" = "Next to"

Slide 46 / 107

Convergent Boundaries

A convergent boundary occurs where two plates are pushing _____________ each other.

Convergent plates collide.

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Types of Convergent Boundaries

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Subduction

As you can see in the pictures on the previous slide, oftentimes when two plates converge, one tectonic plate moves under another. This process is known as subduction .

Slide 49 / 107

Convergent Boundaries

One example of a convergent boundary is between the Indian plate and the Eurasian plate.

Slide 50 / 107

Convergent Boundaries

Scientists hypothesize that the Indian Plateslowly moved closer to the Eurasian Plateuntil it finally collided.

The image at the right shows this motionover many millions of years.

Slide 51 / 107

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11 When two continental plates collide, what are sometimes formed?

A Islands

B Landslides

C Hot Spots

D Mountains

Slide 52 / 107

11 When two continental plates collide, what are sometimes formed?

A Islands

B Landslides

C Hot Spots

D Mountains[This object is a pull tab]

Ans

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D

Slide 52 (Answer) / 107

12 What do the arrows on the diagram represent?

A Magnetic polarity

B Ocean flow

C Plate movement

D Volcanic eruption

Slide 53 / 107

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12 What do the arrows on the diagram represent?

A Magnetic polarity

B Ocean flow

C Plate movement

D Volcanic eruption

[This object is a pull tab]

Ans

wer

C

Slide 53 (Answer) / 107

The Collision of Plates

How were scientists able to come up with the hypothesis that the Indian plate collided with the Eurasian plate?

The "proof" scientists used was found in

Earth's features - in this case, the Himalayan

mountain range, found along the northern

border of India.

Slide 54 / 107

What Happens When Plates Converge?A mountain range slowly forms as tectonic plates converge and collide

into one another.

This collision is similar (but much less sudden and dangerous) than a head-on collision between two cars.

This car has been in a head-on collision. What do you notice about the car's

appearance now?

What specifically caused this to happen?

Slide 55 / 107

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The Formation of MountainsAs two continental plates (such as the Indian and Eurasian plates)

converge, the land begins to fold up and buckle just like the hood of the car on the previous slide. Unlike with the car crash, this transformation

takes thousands of years.

What is even more interesting is that the mountains you see below are still growing as the two plates continue to converge.

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Worksheet - The Growth of a Mountain

Mount Everest can be found in the Himalayan mountain range on the border of Nepal and China. It is the tallest mountain in the world and

it is still growing!

This worksheet will have you estimating the future growth of Mount Everest.

Slide 57 / 107

Divergent Boundaries

A divergent boundary marks two plates that are moving ________ from each other.

Divergent plates divide.

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Divergent Boundaries

One example of a divergent boundary is the Mid-Atlantic Ridge that is found in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.

Slide 59 / 107

Seafloor Spreading

Seafloor spreading is a result of divergent boundaries. It is the process by which new oceanic crust forms along a mid-ocean ridge and

older oceanic crust moves away from the ridge.

As the plates separate, magma from below the surface emerges, flows

onto the seafloor and cools. This pushes the older oceanic crust away.

Mid-ocean ridge

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13 New oceanic crust forms and old oceanic crust moves away from a mid-ocean ridge during:

A Continental drift

B Magnetic reversal

C Normal polarity

D Seafloor spreading

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13 New oceanic crust forms and old oceanic crust moves away from a mid-ocean ridge during:

A Continental drift

B Magnetic reversal

C Normal polarity

D Seafloor spreading

[This object is a pull tab]

Ans

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D

Slide 61 (Answer) / 107

A B C D

14 Where would the oldest oceanic crust be found?

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A B C D

14 Where would the oldest oceanic crust be found?

[This object is a pull tab]

Ans

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A

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Transform Boundaries

A transform boundary occurs where two plates

slide alongside each other.

Transform boundaries travel past each other.

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15 Which of the following is a type of plate boundary? (Choose all that apply)

A Transform

B Subduction

C Convergent

D Divergent

E Parallel

F Mantle

Slide 64 / 107

15 Which of the following is a type of plate boundary? (Choose all that apply)

A Transform

B Subduction

C Convergent

D Divergent

E Parallel

F Mantle[This object is a pull tab]

Ans

wer

A, C and D

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Click here to learn more about the SanAndreas Fault

Transform Boundaries

One example of a transform boundary is the San Andreas Fault which runs through California.

It is the point where the Pacific and North American plates meet.

Slide 65 / 107

The Results of Plate InteractionsEach of these boundary interactions results in dramatic changes to the

Earth's crust.

Some of these changes may take millions of years...

but others can happen in a matter of minutes!

Click here to see the devastation that can be caused by plate tectonics

Slide 66 / 107

16 The diagram below is an example of a ____________.

A Convergent Boundary

B Divergent Boundary

C Transform Boundary

D Subduction Zone

Slide 67 / 107

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16 The diagram below is an example of a ____________.

A Convergent Boundary

B Divergent Boundary

C Transform Boundary

D Subduction Zone

[This object is a pull tab]

Ans

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B

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17 Which of these describes what is happening in the diagram?

A Both plates slide past each other.

B One plate goes below the other.

C The plates move toward each other.

D The plates move away from each other.

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17 Which of these describes what is happening in the diagram?

A Both plates slide past each other.

B One plate goes below the other.

C The plates move toward each other.

D The plates move away from each other.[This object is a pull tab]

Ans

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D

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Match the Plate Boundaries

TransformConvergentDivergent

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Match the Plate Boundaries

TransformConvergentDivergent

[This object is a pull tab]

Ans

wer

TransformConvergent Divergent

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Natural Disasters

Return to Tableof Contents

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Types of Natural Disasters

This section will focus on a number of different natural disasters that can occur here on Earth as a result of plate tectonics:

Earthquakes

Tsunamis

Volcanoes

Click on the topic to go to that section

Slide 71 / 107

What is an Earthquake?

Earthquakes are the result of a sudden release in energy in Earth's crust that makes seismic waves. Earthquakes can occur at faults which are cracks in Earth's crust along which movement

occurs.

Think of these waves as the ripplescreated when dropping a stone into a pool of water.

The waves will travel in all directionsfrom the center point. They are strongest at the center (the epicenter ) and get weaker as they move.

Slide 72 / 107

Measuring Earthquakes

Earthquakes are measured using seismometers .

This scale goes from less than 2 (an earthquake not even noticed by humans) to 9+ (a catastrophic quake).

The magnitude (size) of the earthquake is measured on the Richter scale .

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Where do Earthquakes Occur?

Can you remember the name of this transform boundary in California?

Earthquakes typically occur at transform boundaries , like the one seen below in red.

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Sliding PlatesAt these transform boundaries, the plates are sliding past one another.

As you see below, this isn't a smooth motion and the plates oftentimes get stuck.

An earthquake occurs when these plates finally break free from each other and slide past.

(Keep in mind that these movements are very small... oftentimes only a few centimeters!)

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18 Which best describes the epicenter?

A The only point that experiences the earthquake.

B The most populated city affected by the earthquake.

CThe point where the earthquake is felt at its strongest.

D The location of the seismograph that captured the earthquake tremors.

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18 Which best describes the epicenter?

A The only point that experiences the earthquake.

B The most populated city affected by the earthquake.

CThe point where the earthquake is felt at its strongest.

D The location of the seismograph that captured the earthquake tremors.

[This object is a pull tab]

Ans

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C

Slide 76 (Answer) / 107

Earthquake DamageThe amount of damage done by an earthquake depends on the magnitude of the quake.

An earthquake that is in the 2 - 5 range on the Richter scale is quite common and results in very minor damage, if any.

Earthquakes that chart above 8 on the Richter scale result in major damage or complete destruction, permanent changes to Earth's surface, and usually thousands of lives lost.

An example of the damage done in the 2010 earthquake in Haiti - a 7 magnitude quake.

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Powerful Earthquakes

Since 1900, there have been only 5 earthquakes that have registered above a 9 on the Richter scale, including a 2011 earthquake in Japan. (We will discuss this earthquake later in this section.)

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2010 - Earthquake in Haiti

The 2010 earthquake in Haiti was not as powerful as some other recent quakes, but because the area was so densely populated and not ready for an earthquake, the death toll was over 316,000.

The amount of damage done by earthquakes depends on the magnitude of the quake as well as the area that it occurs.

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Image: NASA

Predicting EarthquakesThe black dots on this map each mark where an earthquake has measured on the Richter scale. With your group, explain why the dots are located in the places they are. Why are there areas with more earthquakes?

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Image: NASA

Predicting EarthquakesBecause earthquakes occur within the Earth's crust, there is no way to accurately predict when one will occur.

While the month and day cannot be predicted, there are areas of the world that experience an above-average number of quakes. These areas are those that sit on the most-active transform faults, such as the San Andreas Fault in California.

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19 Which best explains why California is at increased risk of earthquake?

A It is below sea level.

B It rests on a transform boundary.

C It borders an ocean.

D It has the largest population.

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19 Which best explains why California is at increased risk of earthquake?

A It is below sea level.

B It rests on a transform boundary.

C It borders an ocean.

D It has the largest population.

[This object is a pull tab]

Ans

wer

B

Slide 82 (Answer) / 107

20 High energy earthquakes occur:

A Away from plate boundaries

B Away from divergent plate boundaries

C On convergent plate boundaries

D On transform plate boundaries

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20 High energy earthquakes occur:

A Away from plate boundaries

B Away from divergent plate boundaries

C On convergent plate boundaries

D On transform plate boundaries[This object is a pull tab]

Ans

wer

D

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21 Earthquakes measuring 8 or above on the Richter scale are very common and happen many times a year.

True

False

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21 Earthquakes measuring 8 or above on the Richter scale are very common and happen many times a year.

True

False

[This object is a pull tab]

Ans

wer

False

Slide 84 (Answer) / 107

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Activity - Tabletop Earthquake

Earthquakes occur when two surfaces that are pulling against each other build up a lot of tension and eventually move past.

We will demonstrate this process on a tabletop using the friction between a block and a piece of sandpaper!

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What is a Tsunami?

A tsunami is a series of water waves that occur as the result of a large volume of water being displaced because of an earthquake.

Do you think earthquakes that cause tsunamis are located on

land or in the ocean?

Come up with a reason for your answer and be

prepared to share.

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Everyday Tsunamis

Think of the ocean as a bathtub:

If you were to fill this tub up to the very top with water and then climb in, what would happen?

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How do Tsunamis Form?Tsunamis occur when the surface of the ocean changes and pushes the water out onto the land. The water has no other place to go but out!

The reason this water is displaced is because of earthquakes under the ocean floor.

These earthquakes produce massive waves that travel in all directions.

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Tsunami DamageTsunamis can do massive damage to coastal towns.

Click here to see an animation of the tsunami in the Pacific Ocean.

One of the most recent tsunamis was also one of the most catastrophic.

In 2011, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Japan produced a tsunami 33 feet (10 m) high.

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2011 - Tsunami in Japan

It also caused a meltdown at a nuclear power plant in Japan that threatened the safety of all in that area.

More than 18,000 people were reported as dead or missing as a result of this tsunami.

The 2011 tsunami in Japan caused massive flooding and destroyed many homes and villages.

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It is difficult to predict when a tsunami will occur because it is oftentimes the result of an earthquake.

Areas that are at high risk of tsunami damage have taken precautions to protect themselves.

One of the most common tactics is the building of sea walls. These walls serve as barriers that hold back the water.

Sea walls help protect against smalltsunamis, but are no match for largeones such as in 2011.

Protecting Against Tsunamis

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22 When two plates suddenly slip past each other at a transform boundary, ___________.

A an earthquake occurs

B a volcano occurs

C the sea-floor spreads apart

D subduction occurs

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22 When two plates suddenly slip past each other at a transform boundary, ___________.

A an earthquake occurs

B a volcano occurs

C the sea-floor spreads apart

D subduction occurs [This object is a pull tab]

Ans

wer

A

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23 If you feel the tremor of an earthquake, what could potentially follow?

A A typhoon

B A tsunami

C A tornado

D A hurricane

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23 If you feel the tremor of an earthquake, what could potentially follow?

A A typhoon

B A tsunami

C A tornado

D A hurricane[This object is a pull tab]

Ans

wer

B

Slide 93 (Answer) / 107

Activity - Tabletop Tsunami

Tsunamis occur when oceanic crust changes shape and the water found there is displaced. The larger the earthquake, the more damage it does to the ocean floor and therefore the more water that will be pushed away.

We will demonstrate this process on a tabletop using a bucket of water for our ocean and some deformations to the "ocean floor!"

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What is a Volcano?A volcano is an opening, or a vent, in Earth's crust that allows hot magma, ash and gases to escape. Where do you think most volcanos on Earth are located?

Image: NASA

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Where do Volcanoes Form?Volcanoes can form at two different plate boundaries:

Convergent Plates

When oceanic crust is involved in a converging plate boundary, it gets pulled further below the surface of Earth.

This motion then pushes the hot, less-dense magma up to the surface where it emerges from a volcano.

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Where do Volcanoes Form?

Divergent Plates

As the plates break apart, it leaves an opening for the hot magmato emerge as lava.

Despite being underwater, these rifts release an incredible amountof heat!

Image: ThinkQuest - Terms of Use

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Types of VolcanoesVolcanoes are categorized in three different ways: Active, Extinct, or Dormant. (Click the stars to learn more!)

Active Volcanoes:

Extinct Volcanoes:

Dormant Volcanoes:

Currently erupting or are likely to erupt; have erupted in the recent past; usually showing unusual activity.

Considered unlikely to erupt again; no more magma supply.

Still could erupt, but has not done so in a very long time.

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Volcanic Eruptions - Mt Vesuvius

There have been a number of instances throughout history of cities and regions being destroyed by volcanic eruptions.

One of the most famous eruptions was that of Mount Vesuvius in Italy in 79 AD.

When Mount Vesuvius erupted, it buried and destroyed the Roman towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum.

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PompeiiLike many Roman cities, Pompeii was very advanced. It had a complex water system (including sewage), an amphitheater, a gymnasium and a port. It also had paved roads and many temples to the Roman gods.

We know so much about Pompeii today because when Vesuvius erupted, it practically "froze" the city in time. The features listed above, as well as living creatures, were instantly covered in 4-6 meters of volcanic ash.

Only upon being excavated more than 1,000 years later did we learn anything more about Pompeii.

The cast of a dog that was covered in ash Theater at Pompeii A paved road in Pompeii

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Volcanic Eruptions - Mount St. Helens

The resulting blast was so violent, it blasted out the side of the volcano, killing 57 individuals, including scientists studying the volcano. It also caused one of the largest landslides in history.

More recently, the United States experienced the eruption of Mount St. Helens in Washington in 1980.

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Mount St. Helens

The eruption of Mount St. Helens released a large amount of ash and gas into the atmosphere. Like most volcanoes, water vapor was released as well as carbon dioxide (CO2) and sulfur gases, such as sulfur dioxide (SO2).

The eruption also had an affect on our country's wallet: it is estimated that the blast cost an estimated $1.1 billion in clean-up (equal to about $2.7 billion today!)

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Ring of FireWhile this phrase may best be known as a 1963 Johnny Cash song,

the Ring of Fire that is of importance to geologists is the area

surrounding the Pacific Ocean that has 452 volcanoes and is home to

over 75% of the active and dormant volcanoes here on Earth!

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24 Which of these is a sudden destructive event that can change Earth's surface?

A Volcanic eruption

B Mountain building

C Erosion of rock

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24 Which of these is a sudden destructive event that can change Earth's surface?

A Volcanic eruption

B Mountain building

C Erosion of rock

[This object is a pull tab]

Ans

wer

A

Slide 104 (Answer) / 107

25 The trembling of Earth caused by the sudden movement of Earth's crust is called a (an) ____________.

A volcano

B subduction zone

C earthquake

D hurricane

Slide 105 / 107

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25 The trembling of Earth caused by the sudden movement of Earth's crust is called a (an) ____________.

A volcano

B subduction zone

C earthquake

D hurricane [This object is a pull tab]

Ans

wer

C

Slide 105 (Answer) / 107

26 The Richter Scale measures which type of natural disaster?

A A volcano

B A tornado

C An earthquake

D A hurricane

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26 The Richter Scale measures which type of natural disaster?

A A volcano

B A tornado

C An earthquake

D A hurricane [This object is a pull tab]

Ans

wer

C

Slide 106 (Answer) / 107

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Activity - Tabletop Volcano

Volcanic eruptions are some of the most violent phenomena here on Earth. In this activity, we will simulate a volcanic eruption. It is an experiment that you can even complete at home as well!

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