Uncovering Plate Tectonics

Richard Busse
GFW Middle School; Fairfax, Minnesota
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Summary

In this investigation, students will be given an opportunity to make the connection between plate boundaries/movement and the topographic features of the earth. A deeper look into tectonic movement will build upon the how and why of volcanoes, earthquakes, mountains, trenches, valleys and the building and breaking down processes of the the earth.

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Learning Goals

1) Use latitude and longitude on a world map to plot locations of different features on the earths surface.
2) Use the plotted locations to explain plate movement
3) Use the plotted locations and plate movement to explain the building and breaking down processes of the earth.

Context for Use

This is an activity that works well in a large group setting or as an individual investigation. The process itself takes approximately two 40 min. class periods. Students should be equipped with a Physiographic Map of the Sea Floor and a set of colored pencils. It is important that students have some skills in using latitude and longitude. This activity works well early on in a plate tectonic unit. It provides many points of reference which will be used regularly as you expand on the topic. This activity can be as in depth or as shallow as you would like it to be. It has many uses.

Description and Teaching Materials

Students will need a Physiographic Map of the Sea Floor and a set of colored pencils.

Introduce this activity as a means for discovering the connections between topographic features of the earth, tectonic movement, and building/breaking down processes of the earth.

Provide each student with a list of coordinates locating volcanoes, earthquakes, and mountain ranges (plot each group in different color). Also highlight/outline sea trenches and plate boundaries.

Finally, develop a set of questions which will force each student to use his/her own map to draw connections between the many features and processes they have outlined.

This activity never really receives complete closure because the map is a useful reference throughout earth science. We post the maps in order to have them available at any time.

*A Physiographic Map of the Sea Floor can be found through Hubbard Scientific.

Teaching Notes and Tips

It is imperative that if the focus of this activity is to be tectonic plates and plate movement, your students should be well versed in map reading and the use of latitude and longitude lines. If this component is not present, consider teaching the skill or teaming up with the geography teacher and teaching across disciplines.

The process can be as in depth or shallow as you would like. Allow your students to draw connections. This is where it becomes theirs!

Assessment

Typically the questions provided, which force the students to use their maps, is used as the assessment tool.

ex. questions.
1) How many plates do you see?
2) Locate a place on the map where earth is being destroyed. How do you know?

Use this map in conjunction with any background you provide to help draw connections between the process and the surface features.

Standards

II-A.1 - How earthquakes, volcanoes, sea-floor spreading and mountain building are evidence of the movement of crustal plates.

II-A.2 - How features on the earth's surface are created and constantly changing through a combination of slow and rapid processes of weathering, erosion, sediment deposition, landslides, volcanic eruptions and earthquakes.

References and Resources