Identifying Plate Tectonic Boundaries for a Virtual Ocean Basin

Stephen Reynolds

Arizona State University

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Initial Publication Date: July 16, 2008 | Reviewed: June 13, 2012 (see revision history: 2 events)

Summary

Students observe an ocean basin and two continental margins to identify possible plate boundaries and predict where earthquakes and volcanoes would occur. They also draw the boundaries in cross section.

Geophysics, Tectonics, Marine Geology and Geophysics | College Introductory

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Context

Audience

Introductory physical geology course

Skills and concepts that students must have mastered

General understanding of the physical characteristics of different types of plate bounadaries and the tectonic activity (e.g., earthquakes) that accompanies each type of boundary

How the activity is situated in the course

Done early in the semester, as an in-class activity or as homework

Goals

Content/concepts goals for this activity

Character of plate boundaries; tectonic activity that accompanies each type of boundary; how to depict plate geometries in cross section

Higher order thinking skills goals for this activity

Synthesis of ideas about plate boundaries

Other skills goals for this activity

Working in groups and using geologic terms to describe the earth (if done as in-class, small-group activity)

Description of the activity/assignment

Students observe a virtual ocean basin and two adjacent continental margins. From the characteristics of the sea floor and adjacent land, students infer where plate boundaries might be present. They then predict where earthquakes and volcanoes might occur. Finally, they draw their inferred plate boundaries in cross section.

Determining whether students have met the goals

Whether students can identify the boundaries, correctly locate earthquakes and volcanoes, and properly show the plates in cross section.

More information about assessment tools and techniques.

Teaching materials and tips

Activity Description/Assignment (Acrobat (PDF) 587kB Jul16 08)

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Solution Set (Acrobat (PDF) 398kB Jul16 08)

Other Materials

Worksheet Word File (Microsoft Word 2.3MB Jul16 08)

Worksheet PDF file (Acrobat (PDF) 167kB Jul16 08)

Supporting references/URLs

from Reynolds, S.J., Johnson, J.K., Kelly, M.M., Morin, P.J., and Carter, C.M., 2008, Exploring Geology: McGraw-Hill Higher Education, Dubuque, Iowa, p. 72-73.

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