Notes on plate tectonics plate tectonics states that the earths crust and upper mantle are broken into sections, called plates. For example, whether the volume of continental crust was b10% or. In the frame of plate tectonics several models have been constructed on its unproved assumption. Choose from 500 different sets of definitions plate tectonics flashcards on quizlet. The lithosphere lithosphere is comprised of the upper mantle and the. The lid is the equivalent of the lithosphere in plate tectonics, formed of solid silicate minerals or solid ice in the case of icy planets and moons. Under the plates is a weaker layer of partially melted rock. These areas can form in the middle of continents or on the ocean floor.
Its the perfect sponge activity for those times during your classroom day when you need to fill a few minutes between content blocks. In 1969, spreading plate margins became part of the theory of plate tectonics. Earth may be a borderline case, owing its tectonic activity to abundant water. Plate tectonics reading, activity and infographics contains. Pdf on jan 1, 2005, herve martin and others published earth structure and plate. This is a list of tectonic plates on the earths surface. These smaller plates are often not shown on major plate maps, as the majority do not comprise significant land area.
Plate tectonics test lites leaders in technology enhanced. Word parts prefixes many scientific words are made up of word parts that come from latin and greek. Indeed, the notion that the entire earths surface is continually shifting has profoundly changed the way we view our world. According to the theory, earth has a rigid outer layer, known as the lithosphere. Plate convergence vectors referenced from united states geological survey. The theory, or idea, of plate tectonics says that earth s outer layer is made up of large, moving pieces called plates. Indeed, the notion that the entire earths surface is continually shifting has profoundly changed the way we. These slabs move, collide and slide along each other over a period of millions of years. Tectonic definition is of or relating to tectonics. Developed from the 1950s through the 1970s, plate tectonics is the modern version of continental drift, a theory first proposed by scientist alfred.
Watch the plate tectonics explained youtube clip and have a go at explaining what plate tectonics are in your own words. They become familiar with these global data sets and understand how earths tectonic plates and plate boundaries are defined. Tectonic plates california institute of technology. Major tectonic settings that commonly host geothermal systems include subduction zones, rift zones, extensional regimes, and transtensional or strikeslip zones. Plate tectonics is an expression of the convective regime in the underlying mantle, but the link between individual convection cells and plate boundaries is not direct because plate boundaries are not fixed and, like the plates, move relative to one another. Plate tectonics is the surface expression of the planet of mechanisms related to the cooling of the earth. Jan, 2010 in plate tectonics, a divergent boundary is a linear feature that exists between two tectonic plates that are moving away from each other. Learn definitions plate tectonics with free interactive flashcards. Since the theory of plate tectonics was first introduced, how far has the tectonic plate were standing on moved. Students participate in a jigsaw activity to learn about types of plate boundaries, becoming an expert in one of five global datasets earthquakes, volcanoes, seafloor age, topography, and gravity and then sharing their expertise to build connections between the different datasets.
Plate tectonics reading, activity and infographics. Tectonic plates are composed of oceanic lithosphere and. Not all plate boundaries are easily defined, especially for ancient pieces of crust. These slabs are called tectonic plates and fit together like pieces to a puzzle. The data and observations represented by the tharpheezen map became crucial factors in the acceptance of the theories of plate tectonics and continental drift. The earth is composed of layers of different composition and physical properties, principally the solid central core, the fluid peripheral core, the viscous mantle, and the solid. Plates are composed of the crust and a part of the upper mantle, these two parts together are called the lithosphere. Global tectonics based on a model of the earth characterized by a small number 1025 of semirigid plates which float on some viscous underlayer in the mantle. An easy way to define tectonic plates for kids is to think of giant slabs of land floating over the earths mantle. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. It covers the 3 types of plate tectonic boundaries. Plate tectonics is the process that drives the recycling of earths oceanic crust and the drift of continents on its surface. Some of the deepest parts of the oceans are these trenches.
The lithosphere lithosphere is comprised of the upper mantle and the crust, the outer shell of the earth. The theory of plate tectonics proposes that the lithosphere is divided into a series of plates that fit together like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. Key concepts about the earths surface a pdf handbook with key definition and explanations poster. Exactly how this works is still a matter of debate. Plate tectonic notes lake dallas independent school district. Plate tectonics from the late latin tectonicus, from the greek. But learning about it during the last 40 years has given scientists many theoretical tools to understand other planets, even those that circle other stars. The earths plates jostle about in fits and starts that are punctuated with earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. From wikipedia, the free encyclopedia plate tectonics from greek, tekton. Seafloor spreading helps explain continental drift in the theory of plate tectonics.
Pdf to understand how plate tectonics became earths dominant mode. Bird, peter 2003 an updated digital model of plate boundaries also available as a large mb pdf file. Tectonic plates plate boundary referenced from bird, peter 2003 an updated digital model of plate boundaries. It is made up of thick, interconnecting pieces called tectonic plates that fit together like a puzzle.
Map of the earths crust a poster of a world map, showing tectonic plates and continents, highlighting the highest and deepest point of the earths crust poster. Study 16 terms plate tectonics definition flashcards quizlet. Plate tectonics is the surface manifestation of mantle convection, but the large contrast in viscosities between the lithosphere and the deeper mantle leads to departures from a simple boiling pot. The ebook, provided as a pdf file, includes imagines and indepth explanations of the internal and external processes that shaped earths crust and the tectonic plates movements. The theory is relatively recent, because the wealth of plate tectonics goes far beyond that of a. This plate motion causes them to collide, pull apart, or scrape against each other.
You will recall from a previous chapter that there are three. In plate tectonics, a divergent boundary is a linear feature that exists between two tectonic plates that are moving away from each other. We now know that, directly or indirectly, plate tectonics influences nearly all geologic processes, past and present. The earths crust is made up of seven main tectonic plates and numerous smaller plates. Hot spots are thought to occur independent of tectonic activity but will be considered a tectonic setting in the context of geothermal areas because they do not fit into any other. The plates are constantly moving over this weaker layer. Plate tectonics definition of plate tectonics by merriam. Plate tectonics is a theory mainly based in suppositions of its results, continental drifting, orogeny, subduction, active margins environments, passive margins, better than by its mechanism. As the plates pull apart, hot molten material can rise up this newly formed pathway to the surface causing volcanic activity. The structure of the earth, plate tectonics and landforms.
Ocean basinsoceanic crust are continually being created and destroyed through tectonic processes. Any of several large pieces of the earths lithosphere which participate in plate tectonics. As plates move, the new crust gradually moves away from the ridge. The layer below the lithosphere is the asthenosphere. Plate tectonics word scramble printable word scramble. Jun 15, 2018 plate tectonics reading, activity and infographics contains. Earthquake summary posters for significant earthquakes. In this plate tectonic framework, large scale deformation is the local response of the lithosphere to induced stresses. Plate tectonic theory arose out of the hypothesis of continental drift proposed by. In addition, the diving plate melts and is often spewed out in. Plate tectonics reading, activity and infographics teaching.
Other readers will always be interested in your opinion of the books youve read. New oceanic crust is formed through magma rising through the gap and cooling. Frisch and meschede and blakey answer all these questions and more through the presentation and explanation of the geodynamic processes upon which the theory of continental drift is based and which have led to the concept of plate tectonics. Plate tectonics describes the distribution and motion of the plates. We live on a layer of earth known as the lithosphere which is a collection of rigid slabs that are shifting and sliding into each other. Plate tectonics information and facts national geographic. Its the perfect sponge activity for those times during your classroom day when you need to.
Convection currents rise in the asthenosphere and spread out beneath the lithosphere, causing the movement of earths plates. The appearance of plate tectonics on terrestrial planets is related to planetary mass, with more massive planets than earth expected to exhibit plate tectonics. Seafloor spreading occurs at divergent plate boundaries which subsequently create midocean ridges. Plate tectonics word scramble this plate tectonics word scramble printable features a full word search puzzle and a terminology box for referencing and checking off words as you find them. Vocabularyu2014match the word with the correct definition by placing the letter of the word in the blank next to the. Lid tectonics, commonly thought of as stagnant lid tectonics, is the type of tectonics that is believed to exist on several planets and moons in the solar system, and possibly existed on earth during the early part of its history. This activity is a slight variation on an original activity, discovering plate boundaries, developed by dale sawyer at rice university. Plate tectonics article about plate tectonics by the free.
Convergence data are shown by arrows describing direction and speed, relative to the plate across the boundary. Whether youve loved the book or not, if you give your honest and detailed thoughts then people will find new books that are right for them. Developed from the 1950s through the 1970s, plate tectonics is the modern version of continental drift, a theory first proposed by scientist alfred wegener in 1912. Structure of the earth mantle the earth is made up of 3 outer core main layers.
Tectonic plates definition, theory, sizes of major and minor tectonic plates, convergenet, divergent and transform boundries, etc study notes. These plates are rigid segments that move in relation to one another at one of three types of plate boundaries. Show a basic understanding of plate tectonics, describing the global pattern of plates, their structure, and be aware of plate movements and their effects constructive plates moving away from each other, destructive subduction plates moving towards each other. Go to this link to print out the worksheets for all year 4 courses. Watch the plate tectonics explained youtube clip and have a go at explaining what. Plate tectonics reading, activity and infographics by. Use the links below to explore available resources covering major concepts associated with the study of plate tectonics. If you are looking for engagig and fun resources about tectonic plates movement, here is a great bundle of ebook, activity and posters.
This course began by considering the evidence in the earths past for the existence of supercontinents and how evidence of past climates recorded in continental rocks can be used to reassemble ancient continental configurations. They can overcome some limitations of plate tectonics and use the physics as an additional source of information on the selforganization of plate. A read is counted each time someone views a publication summary such as the title, abstract, and list of authors, clicks on a figure, or views or downloads the fulltext. Plate tectonics the earths crust is divided into plates which are moved in various directions. Tectonics, in situ stress stress, faults and rock failure.
Continents that fit together like puzzles display how far tectonic plates have moved. These tectonic plates rest upon the convecting mantle, which causes them to move. The theory of plate tectonics explains the formation, movement, and subduction of earths plates. It is explained in some detail in chapter 10, but is introduced here because.
Plate tectonics the tectonic plates of the world were mapped in the second half of the 20th century. Help your students grasp and retain key earth science vocabulary with this interactive vocabulary sort activity focusing on plate tectonics and plate boundaries. This is a 4 four page flipbook that students can create that can fit into a science interactive notebook. Plate tectonics, the study of such relative motions and. For the rest of us, plate tectonics is a simple theory that helps make sense of the earths face. According to the theory of plate tectonics, the earths crust is made up of several rigid plates. In 1977, after decades of tediously collecting and mapping ocean sonar data, scientists began to see a fairly accurate picture of the seafloor emerge. Plate tectonics definition of plate tectonics by the free. The tharpheezen map illustrated the geological features that characterize the seafloor and became a crucial factor in the acceptance of the theories of plate tectonics and continental drift. Plate tectonics is a scientific theory describing the largescale motion of seven large plates and the movements of a larger number of smaller plates of the earth s. Scientists have traveled all over the earth and found evidence that supports the ideas of plate tectonics. Because the mantle beneath these plates is partially molten. Plate tectonics is caused by heat flow within the earths interior as well as density differences between the earths crust and mantle.
The movements of these plates can account for noticeable geologic events such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and more subtle yet sublime events, like the building of mountains. Frank taylor first proposed this idea in 1910, alexander du toit later in 1937, harry hess explored the geomorphology of the seafloor by ship in 1960s. Plate tectonics informational nonfiction, 1,933 words, level y grade 5, lexile 900l written in understandable terms and filled with interesting facts about geological events, this book helps readers appreciate our remarkable planet. A plat e tectonic puzzle introduction the earths crust is not a solid shell. Rising magma forms new ocean floor proof of continental drift. Tectonic plates are sections of the earths solid crust that float on top of the mantle.
Plate tectonics is a combination of two ideas, seafloor spreading and continental drift. For more information on how to use these and other tools, see appendix a. The creation of new oceanic crust at midocean ridges is called seafloor spreading. A minor plate is any plate with an area less than 20 million km 2 but greater than 1 million km 2. Plate tectonics, theory dealing with the dynamics of earths outer shell that revolutionized earth sciences by providing a uniform context for. The theory of plate tectonics states that the earths solid outer crust, the lithosphere, is separated into plates that move over the asthenosphere, the molten upper portion of the. Plate tectonics and plate boundaries vocabulary sort by. I made different maps, including more detail in all of the datasets, and used a different map projection, but otherwise the general progression of the activity is the same. Nematnasser, interacting microcracks near the tip in the process zone of a macrocrack, journal of the mechanics and physics of solids, vol. The theory of plate tectonics grew out of earlier hypotheses and observations collected during exploration of the rocks of the ocean floor. You will recall from a previous chapter that there are three major layers crust, mantle, core within the earth that are.
The mantle contains hot molten rock magma heated by energy from the earths core. They move atop the underlying mantle, a really thick layer of hot flowing rock. I would consider this an easier course than the core science courses. The area where two plates meet is called plate boundaries. The concept of plate tectonics was formulated in the 1960s. Dynamic earth kmz file for use with plate tectonics exercises kmz file 1. Plate tectonics definition of plate tectonics by the. It is vital for the existence of life on earth because of the role that it plays in the global cycle that maintains the balance of carbon between the biosphere, pedosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere. Each type of interaction causes a characteristic set of earth structures or tectonic features. As the plate moves down into the asthenosphere it begins to melt. Teach your students about plate tectonics using these classroom resources. The lithosphere is divided into plates, some of which are very large and can be entire continents heat from the mantle is the source of energy driving plate tectonics. This resource includes 11 key terms to match to a definition and icon picture, 3 different student answer sheets to meet the needs of y. Plate tectonics simple english wikipedia, the free.
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