Plate Tectonics and Continental Drift

Language Objectives: Students will compare different theories on the creation of Earth. Students will revise an already developed theory to design their own theory.

TEKS Objectives: (8.3)  Scientific processes. The student uses critical thinking and scientific

problem solving to make informed decisions. The student is expected to: (A)  Analyze, review, and critique scientific explanations, including

hypotheses and theories, as to their strengths and weaknesses using scientific evidence and information;

(D)  Evaluate the impact of research on scientific thought, society, and the environment; and

(E)  Connect Grade 8 science concepts with the history of science and contributions of scientists.

(8.14) Science concepts. The student knows that natural events and human activities can alter Earth systems. The student is expected to: Predict land features resulting from gradual changes such as mountain

building, beach erosion, land subsidence, and continental drift;

Plate Tectonics&

The Continental Drift Theory

Continental Drift

_________ proposed the theory that the crustal plates are moving over the mantle. This was supported by fossil and rock type evidence; also matching of coastline shapes.

Wegener

Convection Currents

The force responsible for plate movement is __________.

Plate Boundaries

The following two slides show maps of the current major plate boundaries and their relative motions.

You should be able to describe various landforms created by different plate movements.

Plate Boundaries

Divergent Boundary – moving _____ Convergent Boundary – moving

________ Transform Fault Boundary – moving

________________________

apart

together

sideways past each other

Divergent boundary of two continental plates.

Creates a __________. Example: _____________rift valley East African Rift

Convergent boundary of two oceanic plates.

Creates an ________ and a _____. Example: _____island arc trench Japan

Convergent boundary of an oceanic plate and a continental plate. Forms a _______ mountain range and a ______. Examples: _______ or _______ Mts

volcanictrench Cascades Andes

Convergent boundary of two continental plates. Forms a ______ mountain range. Examples: ___________, Alps, ______________

folded HimalayasAppalachians

Transform-fault boundary where the North American and Pacific plates are moving ____ each other.

Example: ________________ in California

past

San Andreas Fault

Plate Boundaries Review

Places where plates move apart are called _____________ boundaries.

When continental plates diverge a ___________ is formed.

When two oceanic plates converge what is created? _________________

The Appalachians formed mainly from continental plate collisions and therefore are a __________ mountain range.

The force moving the plates is ____________ .Convection currents

divergent

rift valley

an island arc and a trench

folded