World of Science with Tr. Cai - Tectonic Plates PDF

World of Science with Tr. Cai TECTONIC PLATES Work plan Welcome to Science Class Routines: Mindfulness, Attendance Video Presentation Discussion Activity Wrap up Key Points: Earth's surface is divided into large, moving pieces called tectonic...

World of Science with Tr. Cai TECTONIC PLATES Work plan Welcome to Science Class Routines: Mindfulness, Attendance Video Presentation Discussion Activity Wrap up Key Points: Earth's surface is divided into large, moving pieces called tectonic plates. These plates are constantly shifting and interacting with each other. Plate tectonics explain phenomena like earthquakes, volcanoes, and mountain formation. What are Tectonic Plates? Tectonic plates are large pieces of the Earth's lithosphere that move over the asthenosphere.  Introduction to Tectonic Plates Have you ever noticed how perfectly continents fit together like puzzle pieces? Well, guess what? Earth is a giant puzzle made of several tectonic plates! These enormous, solid pieces fit together like a jigsaw, forming the lithosphere. Continental Plates VS Oceanic Plates Continental plates are massive, rigid slabs of rock that form the Earth's continents. They are the thicker and less dense type of tectonic plate. Oceanic plates are large, rigid slabs of rock that form the ocean floor. They are the thinner and denser type of tectonic plate.  How Tectonic Plates Move Beneath the plates lies a hot, soft layer of the mantle called the asthenosphere. Think of it as a giant, slow-moving conveyor belt. The heat from Earth's core causes the asthenosphere to move in currents. These currents drag the tectonic plates above them, slowly shifting them across the Earth's surface.  Three Types of Plate Boundaries Convergent: Divergent: Transform: Plates move Plates move away Plates slide past towards each other. from each other. each other. Convergent Boundaries Convergent boundaries are places where tectonic plates collide or come together. When two plates meet, their interactions can result in various geological phenomena. Convergent boundaries contribute to the formation of mountains, volcanic activity, and earthquakes. Divergent Boundaries At divergent boundaries, plates move away from each other. This movement results in the creation of new crust as magma rises from the mantle, solidifies, and forms new oceanic crust. Divergent boundaries are responsible for the continuous reshaping and formation of Earth's crust. Transform Boundaries Transform boundaries occur when two plates slide past each other horizontally. The movement along these boundaries can cause earthquakes, as the plates grind against each other. Transform boundaries redistribute stress and accommodate the movement between neighboring plates.  Example of Plate Boundaries Convergent: Divergent: Transform: When continental Where new oceanic When the plates rub plates collide (e.g., crust forms. (e.g., each other (e.g., the Himalayas). Mid-Atlantic Ridge). San Andreas Fault).  Earth Science with Mrs. Aguado THANK YOU! SEATWORK Draw the types of Plates Boundaries, explain your answer.  THE COAST Primarily, earthquakes and volcanoes occur in a pattern that runs between continents and oceans.  WHY DOES IT MATTER? These plate locations give us an insight into other patterns. The locations of mountain ranges, deep ocean trenches, ocean floor structures, earthquakes and volcanos all occur in patterns.  WHY DOES IT MATTER? By understanding more about plate tectonics we can have a better understanding of the patterns that occur on Earth.