plate tectonics - reading passages (edited)...plate boundary landforms reading passage (version 2)...

Dear Students,

It feels like ages since I have seen you all! Amidst this craziness and uncertainty, please know that you all are constantly on my mind, I miss seeing your smiling faces every day, I miss how much you all make me laugh, and I miss the curiosity you bring to our classroom each day.

Ms. Chiem and I have put together an assignment about plate tectonics for you!

Exciting!! It is a packet of readings with associated questions as well as some graphic organizers for the different plate boundaries. Take your time and be sure to read carefully! All environmental science classes are receiving the same assignment, so if you have friends in Ms. Chiem’s class, feel free to collaborate (but over the phone/facetime/text only!)

If you would like me to review your work and provide immediate feedback, you can

text/email pictures of your assignment to me (contact information below!). These assignments are designed to reinforce what we learned prior to school closing, with a little bit of new information sprinkled in at the end. Please reach out to me with any questions or concerns you may have, and hold onto the packets when you have completed them. I will provide more information on how to turn them in when that time comes. Please keep an eye out for upcoming assignments!

If you are bored and want some cool science/art things to check out, let me know!!! If

you have access to a computer and internet I can hook you up with some fun things to play around with- virtual tours of national parks, zoos, Mars (!), museums, etc. Some of it might work on a phone too. Let me know.

I hope you and your families are all doing well and have everything you need to remain

happy and healthy during this time. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you need anything, school related or not! I am here if you need me- even if you just need someone to chat with.

Please stay safe, take care of yourselves, and keep me posted. Here for you always. Love,

Ms. Stine Email: [email protected] Cell phone: 203-219-8091

p.s. check out this highly informational (and admittedly a bit corny) BrainPop video regarding the coronavirus:

https://www.brainpop.com/health/diseasesinjuriesandconditions/coronavirus/

Name: ___________________________________ Date: ________________Plate Tectonics Reading Passage (Version 2)

Plate TectonicsEarth’s surface is covered by a layer of rock called crust. The crust is part of the top layer of Earth called the lithosphere. The lithosphere is not continuous. It is actually made of large pieces or slabs called tectonic plates. There are seven large and several small tectonic plates that cover Earth.

The top of a tectonic plate is made of crust. There are two types of crust: oceanic and continental. Oceanic crust is dense and thin. It is made of igneous rocks and minerals. We most often associate basalt with oceanic crust. Continental crust is less dense and thick. It is made of all types of rocks and minerals. We most often associate granite with continental crust. It’s important to know what type of crust covers a tectonic plate because the type of crust determines what happens at a boundary between plates.

Tectonic plates move and slide over the top part of the mantle. We call the top part of the mantle the asthenosphere. The asthenosphere is unevenly heated by Earth’s core. This uneven heating causes the tectonic plates to move. Tectonic plates can move towards each other, move away from each other or slide past each other. When plates move away from each other, new crust or lithosphere is created. When plates move towards each other, crust or lithosphere is destroyed. When plates slide past each other, they “grind,” which creates disturbances such as earthquakes.

Crust and lithosphere are often used interchangeably to describe the outermost layer of Earth. The terms are actually used differently depending on how you study Earth’s interior. Crust is used to describe the chemical composition of Earth’s interior. In other words, when we are studying what the top layer of Earth is made of, we use the term crust. Lithosphere is used to describe the physical properties of Earth’s interior. In other words, when we are studying the rigidness of Earth’s outermost layer, we use the term lithosphere. _______________________________________________________________________

© Stephanie Elkowitz

North American Plate

Pacific Plate

Antarctic Plate

Pacific Plate

African Plate

Indian-Australian Plate

Eurasian Plate

Arabian Plate

Scotia Plate

Caribbean PlatePhilippine

Plate

Nazca Plate

Cocos Plate

South American Plate

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Name: ___________________________________ Date: ________________Plate Tectonics Answer Sheet (Version 2)

Questions1. What is a tectonic plate?

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2. What causes the movement of tectonic plates?____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. What is difference between oceanic crust and continental crust? Why do we care about what type of crust covers a tectonic plate? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. Compare and contrast what happens when tectonic plates move towards each other, away from each other or past each other. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

1. A map of tectonic plates is included with the reading passage. The arrows show the general movement of the plates. Based on this, how do you think the Atlantic and Pacific ocean will change over the next 100,000 years? Defend your answer. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Name: ___________________________________ Date: ________________Types of Plate Boundaries Reading Passage (Version 2)

Types of Plate BoundariesTectonic plates can move toward each other, move away from each other or slide past each other. The type of movement that occurs at the boundary between tectonic plates determines the type of plate boundary that exists between them.

Two tectonic plates move towards each other at a convergent boundary. A convergent boundary is also called a destructive plate boundary because one plate is slowly destroyed at the boundary. At a convergent boundary, the denser plate subducts or moves below the other plate. The subducted plate melts and becomes part of the mantle.

Because a tectonic plate can be covered with different crust, there are different convergent plate boundaries. Oceanic-oceanic convergence where two plates made of oceanic crust converge. One plate subducts under the other, forming a trench. The subducted plate melts and becomes part of the mantle. Often, underwater volcanoes form near the boundary in the other plate. Oceanic-continental convergence occurs where an oceanic plate converges with a continental plate. The oceanic plate subducts under the continental plate because it’s denser. A trench forms at the boundary. Often, mountains or volcanoes form on the continental plate near the boundary. Continental-continental convergence occurs where two continental plates converge. One plate subducts, melts and becomes part of the mantle. A mountain range forms in the other plate where crust is “squashed” together.

Two tectonic plates move away from each other at a divergent boundary. A divergent boundary is also called a constructive boundary because new crust or lithosphere is created at the boundary. As the plate move apart, molten rock from within Earth moves upward and fills the space between the plates. It cools and forms new crust.

Two tectonic plates slide past each other at a transform boundary. A transform boundary is also called a conservative plate boundary because crust is neither created nor destroyed at this boundary. Transform boundaries are often found between two convergent, two divergent or a convergent and divergent boundary. The San Andreas Fault is one of the most well-known transform boundaries._______________________________________________________________________


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Name: ___________________________________ Date: ________________Types of Plate Boundaries Answer Sheet (Version 2)

Questions1. What can happen at a plate boundary?

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2. Describe the three types of convergent plate boundaries. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. What is the difference between a convergent and divergent boundary? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. How is a transform boundary different from a convergent and divergent boundary? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. Do you think there are more convergent or divergent plate boundaries on Earth? Justify your answer. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


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Name: ___________________________________ Date: ________________Plate Boundary Landforms Reading Passage (Version 2)

Plate Boundary LandformsLandforms are structures that cover Earth’s surface. Certain landforms often form at or near a plate boundary. These landforms are mountain ranges, ocean ridges, ocean trenches and volcanoes.

A mountain range is a long stretch of mountains. A mountain is a large landform that forms peaks that stretch high above surrounding land. Mountain ranges form where two continental plates or an oceanic plate and continental plate converge. Crust is “crushed” on a continental plate and so crust folds upwards, forming a mountain range along the boundary. The Andes Mountains and Himalayan Mountains are examples of mountain ranges formed by convergent plate boundaries.

An ocean ridge is an underwater mountain system with a rift or valley. It forms where two oceanic plates spread apart. Magma escapes through the boundary where the plates spread apart and forms mountains on both sides of the boundary. Between the mountains is a valley or rift. The rift is a deep depression – it is the actual boundary between the plates. Ocean ridges are associated with sea floor spreading. The Mid-Atlantic Ocean ridge is the most well known ocean ridge.

A deep ocean trench is the deepest part of the ocean. It is a long, narrow and deep depression in the ocean. It forms when a tectonic plate subducts or moves below another plate. The boundary between the plates forms the trench. The Mariana Trench is the most well known ocean trench and is the deepest part of the world’s oceans.

A volcano is a rupture on the crust of Earth that allows magma, gases and ash to escape from inside Earth. The magma builds up on the crust around the rupture, forming peaks that look like mountains. A volcano most often forms at boundary where plates converge. The subducted plate melts and rises up through ruptures in Earth’s crust, forming a volcano. Mount Etna (on the island of Sicily) and Kīlauea (on the island of Hawaii) are examples of volcanoes. _______________________________________________________________________


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Plate Boundaries Diagrams & Cross-Sections

Convergent Boundaries

Divergent Boundaries

Transform Boundary

Plate Boundaries Overview

Plate Boundaries Graphic Organizer

Directions: complete the graphic organizer by using the information from the guided readings - you will need to fill in the blanks (definition, feature formed, and real-world example) and draw a visual/picture in the space provided for each type of plate boundary * 6 TOTAL *

Convergent BoundaryOceanic-Oceanic Convergence

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Convergent BoundaryOceanic-Continental Convergence

Convergent BoundaryContinental-Continental Convergence

Definition: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Feature Formed: _______________________________________________________

Real World Example: ___________________________________________________

Definition: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Feature Formed: _______________________________________________________

Real World Example: ___________________________________________________

Definition: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Feature Formed: _______________________________________________________

Real World Example: ________________

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Name: Period:

Divergent BoundaryOceanic Divergence

Divergent BoundaryOceanic Divergence

Transform BoundarySliding Boundary

Definition: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Feature Formed: ___________________________________________________

Real World Example: ______________

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Definition: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Feature Formed: ___________________________________________________

Real World Example: _______________________________________________

Definition: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Feature Formed: __________________

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Real World Example: _______________________________________________

Name: ___________________________________ Date: ________________Sea Floor Spreading Reading Passage

Sea Floor SpreadingSea floor spreading is the creation of new crust or lithosphere at a divergent plate boundary. It is called so because most divergent boundaries occur between oceanic plates, which causes our oceans to spread apart or widen. As tectonic plates move apart, magma rises through the boundary and creates new crust. Specifically, the magma creates an ocean ridge. The magma creates mountains on both sides of a rift or a deep valley that represents the actual tectonic plate boundary.

New crust is continually made at the boundary as long as the plates move apart. Older crust is found far away from the boundary and new crust is found close to the boundary. Sea floor spreading helps explain how and why the continents on Earth are located where they are.

The map below shows sea floor spreading the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Ocean. Sea floor spreading occurs in the Atlantic Ocean along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. This ridge forms the longest mountain range in the world. The ridge spreads approximately 2.5 centimeters per year. Sea floor spreading occurs in the Pacific Ocean along the East Pacific Rise. On the east side of the ridge, the Cocos and Nazca plate moves towards South America. The ridge spreads quickly at a rate of 8-12 centimeters per year.

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Name: ___________________________________ Date: ________________Sea Floor Spreading Answer Sheet

Questions1. What is sea floor spreading?

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2. What landform is found where sea floor spreading occurs? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. How does the age of crust change as you move further away from an ocean ridge? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. Compare and contrast the rate of sea floor spreading along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and East Pacific Rise. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. How do you think the oceans will look in 100,000 years from now? Justify your answer. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


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Name: ___________________________________ Date: ________________Convection in the Mantle Reading Passage

Convection in the MantleThe inside of Earth is composed of layers. The most superficial layer of Earth is the lithosphere. The surface of the lithosphere is called crust. The lithosphere is broken apart into large slabs called tectonic plates. Below the lithosphere is the mantle. The top portion of the mantle is called the asthenosphere. The inner part of Earth is the core. The core is separated into two parts. The outer core is made of molten rock. The inner core is made of solid rock. The core of Earth is VERY HOT!

Rock in the asthenosphere is somewhat fluid. It is not molten or liquid but plastic-like. Because it is plastic-like, it is able to transfer heat through convection. Convection is the transfer of heat from one place to another by movement of a fluid. The fluid carries thermal energy with it. The movement creates a circulation motion of warm and cold fluid. We call this movement a convection current.

Heat from Earth’s core transfers to the asthenosphere. In the asthenosphere, the heat is transferred with convection currents. Hot columns of mantle in the asthenosphere rise because hot mantle is less dense than cool mantle. At the top of the asthenosphere, the mantle spreads out and cools. Cool mantle sinks to lower asthenosphere. Eventually the cooler material is heated and the convection current repeats.

Scientists believe convection in the asthenosphere causes tectonic plates to move. When mantle spreads along the top of the asthenosphere, it transfers heat to the lithosphere. More importantly, the moving mantle “pulls” lithosphere with it. This pull is believed to drive the motion of tectonic plates. Specifically, divergent plate boundaries and converging plate boundaries are regions where hot mantle rises and cool mantle sinks, respectively. _______________________________________________________________________


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Name: ___________________________________ Date: ________________Convection in the Mantle Answer Sheet

Questions1. Label the following layers of Earth’s

interior on the diagram below: lithosphere, asthenosphere, outer core and inner core.

2. What is a convection current? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Explain how convection occurs in the asthenosphere. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. Where would you find convergent and divergent plant boundaries relative to convection currents in the mantle? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. If the asthenosphere was made of rigid rock, like the lithosphere, do you think tectonic plates would move the same way? Justify your answer. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


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Name: ___________________________________ Date: ________________Continental Drift Theory Reading Passage

Continental Drift TheoryThe Continental Drift Theory is a scientific theory that explains the movement of tectonic plates and continents. According to this theory, the continents used to be joined together. Over time, they split into separate continents and moved into the positions that we know today.

The Continental Drift Theory was first proposed by German scientist Alfred Wegener in 1915. According to Wegener, the continents on Earth used to be joined together as a supercontinent. He called this supercontinent Pangaea. Pangaea means “all the land” in Greek. Wegener’s theory described how over hundreds of millions of years, Pangaea broke up into the separate continents. The continents “drifted” apart due to tectonic plate movement.

According to the Continental Drift Theory, the continents were combined as a supercontinent, Pangaea, 250 million years ago. In the middle of the Jurassic Period, 200 million years ago, Pangaea began to break up. A rift began to separate Pangaea into a northern and southern land mass. It’s believed that the breaking up was accompanied by huge volcanic eruptions. The two huge land masses became known as Laurasia and Gondwana or Gondwanaland.

At the end of Jurassic Period and beginning of the Cretaceous Period, 145 million years ago, the two land masses began to split into separate continents. Gondwana separated into South America, Africa, India, Australia and Antarctica. Laurasia separated into North America and Eurasia.

At the end of the Cretaceous Period, 65 million years ago, the continents began taking on a recognizable form. Water covered the area now known as Central America and India was on the way to collide with Eurasia. Today, the continents are in the positions that we are familiar with. However, the continents continue to move. Most notably, North and South America are moving west and Australia is moving north.


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Name: ___________________________________ Date: ________________Continental Drift Theory Answer Sheet

Questions1. What is the Continental Drift Theory?

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2. Who proposed the Continental Drift Theory? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. According to Wegner, how were the continents positioned 250 million years ago? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. Explain how the land masses on Earth moved over the past 250 million years. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. Draw a picture of how you think the continents will be position relative to each other 100,000 years from now. Refer to the current map of Earth to help you.

© Stephanie Elkowitz

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plate tectonics - reading passages (edited)...plate boundary landforms reading passage (version 2)...

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