Ms. Aeschlimann’s Plate Tectonic Webquest
Introduction:
Now that we know about the Earths layers, we can begin to understand their affect on the Earth's surface. We have been studying Pangaea and Alfred Wegner's theory of continental drift, which we now call the theory of plate tectonics. To solidify our understanding of why the plates move and how they shape our world, we will complete the following webquest.
Task:
Be able to discuss Pangaea and describe the theory of plate tectonics.
Describe evidence for the theory of plate tectonics.
Be able to identify and differentiate the three tectonic plates.
Explain plate movement at each boundary.
Discuss some positive aspects of boundary activity.
Process:
You will answer the following questions using the related links:
1. What is Pangaea? (also check Here)
2. What scienctist first described Pangaea and what was his evidence?
3. Why do the plates move in the first place? (see video Here)
4. What are the three boundary types? (also check Here)
5. Give an example of a spot in the world where you can find each of the three types of boundaries. (give 1 example for each boundary type)
6. What are the possible combinations of plate collisions at convergent boundaries? (also check Here)
7. What happens at a subduction zone?
8. At divergent boundaries plates move apart causing what 2 things to happen?
9. If the rocks 100 miles west of the mid ocean ridge are 10,000 years old, how old can you expect the rocks to be 100 miles east of the same ridge? (Link: To your own brain!)
10. The San Andreas Fault is one of the best studied transform boundaries. Between what two plates is it located? (Read about it Here)
11. What plates make up the Ring of Fire? Must include all plates to get full points.
Extra Credit: Even though plate boundaries produce devastating natural disasters like earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis, what benefits do they have?
Now that we know about the Earths layers, we can begin to understand their affect on the Earth's surface. We have been studying Pangaea and Alfred Wegner's theory of continental drift, which we now call the theory of plate tectonics. To solidify our understanding of why the plates move and how they shape our world, we will complete the following webquest.
Task:
Be able to discuss Pangaea and describe the theory of plate tectonics.
Describe evidence for the theory of plate tectonics.
Be able to identify and differentiate the three tectonic plates.
Explain plate movement at each boundary.
Discuss some positive aspects of boundary activity.
Process:
You will answer the following questions using the related links:
1. What is Pangaea? (also check Here)
2. What scienctist first described Pangaea and what was his evidence?
3. Why do the plates move in the first place? (see video Here)
4. What are the three boundary types? (also check Here)
5. Give an example of a spot in the world where you can find each of the three types of boundaries. (give 1 example for each boundary type)
6. What are the possible combinations of plate collisions at convergent boundaries? (also check Here)
7. What happens at a subduction zone?
8. At divergent boundaries plates move apart causing what 2 things to happen?
9. If the rocks 100 miles west of the mid ocean ridge are 10,000 years old, how old can you expect the rocks to be 100 miles east of the same ridge? (Link: To your own brain!)
10. The San Andreas Fault is one of the best studied transform boundaries. Between what two plates is it located? (Read about it Here)
11. What plates make up the Ring of Fire? Must include all plates to get full points.
Extra Credit: Even though plate boundaries produce devastating natural disasters like earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis, what benefits do they have?
Science News: America and Eurasia 'to meet at north pole'
By Neil Bowdler Science and health reporter, BBC News
America and Eurasia will crash into each other over the North Pole in 50-200 million years time, according to scientists at Yale University.
They predict Africa and Australia will join the new "supercontinent" too, which will mark the next coming together of the Earth's land masses.
The continents are last thought to have come together 300 million years ago into a supercontinent called Pangaea.
READ MORE HERE: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-16934181
America and Eurasia will crash into each other over the North Pole in 50-200 million years time, according to scientists at Yale University.
They predict Africa and Australia will join the new "supercontinent" too, which will mark the next coming together of the Earth's land masses.
The continents are last thought to have come together 300 million years ago into a supercontinent called Pangaea.
READ MORE HERE: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-16934181