These slabs move, collide and slide along each other over a period of millions of years. Mountains form and earthquakes shake at tectonic plate boundaries, where new landforms rise and fall. It provides us with a way to tie together what once was considered unrelated geologic. According to the theory of plate tectonics, the earths lithosphere is broken into distinct plates which are. A good example of this type of plate boundary is the san andreas fault. Plate tectonics 511 earths surface is made of rigid slabs of rock, or plates, that move with. Sara schroeder, classical charter school, appleton, wisconsin lori morris, crestview academy, eau claire, wisconsin length of unit. A synopsis of plate tectonics james madison university. Plate tectonics is the surface manifestation of mantle convection, but the large contrast in viscosities between the lithosphere and the deeper mantle. There are buttons on the puzzle so that you can get a clean page, in either html or pdf, that you can use your browsers print button to print.
The definition of tectonic plates for kids involves thinking of the earths crust as large slabs that move over a liquid mantle. The earth is the only planet known to currently have plate tectonics. In other words, cooling of the mantle leads to plate tectonics while cooling of the core is responsible for mantle plumes. Convergence data are shown by arrows describing direction and speed, relative to the plate across the boundary. Its the perfect sponge activity for those times during your classroom day when you need to fill a few minutes between content blocks. Plate tectonics information and facts national geographic. 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. 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. 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. The publication elaborates on processes at consuming plate boundaries, including sinking plate model, structure of trenches and associated island arcs and cordilleras, and consumption of continentbearing lithosphere.
This plate motion causes them to collide, pull apart, or scrape against each other. Iceland is one of the few places where this process can be seen on land. With unmatched capability, capacity, and color consistency, tectonics is the premier choice to satisfy your wide format or largescale printing needs. Plate convergence vectors referenced from united states geological survey. Plate tectonics jigsaw puzzle worksheets, which can be found with a simple online search one for each student or partner group. Plate tectonics part ii paleogeography promotional a video presentation of paleogeography using a set of globe maps and basic anmination techniques highlighting audio content. The plates are constantly moving over this weaker layer. Name class period plate tectonics project 110eptsj objective. Plate tectonics it was from the continental drift theory, convection current theory and the theory of seafloor spreading, the theory of plate tectonics was formulated. This version is revised from a previously uploaded version, edited to include basic animations. 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. Abstract this is a unit written for sixth grade on plate tectonics.
Divergent boundaries constructive are where plates are moving away from each other. Automatically reference everything correctly with citethisforme. Notes on plate tectonics plate tectonics states that the earths crust and upper mantle are broken into sections, called plates. Stresses relax in the lower portion of the plate where creep processes dominate, but still behaves coherently with the plate. Tectonic plates plate boundary referenced from bird, peter 2003 an updated digital model of plate boundaries. The academic concepts of tectonics continental drift, seafloor spread, the definition of the major tectonic plates of the world, to cite only a feware now regarded as essentially valid. The theory explains the presentday tectonic behavior of the earth, particularly the global distribution of. Plate tectonics the earths crust is divided into 12 major plates which are moved in various directions.
To explain the theory of plate tectonics and present the information in a creative format. Plate tectonics is the theory that the outer rigid layer of the earth the lithosphere is divided into about a dozen plates that move across the earths surface relative to each other, like slabs of ice on a lake click picture below for a larger version. Plate tectonics is the process that drives the recycling of earths oceanic crust and the drift of continents on its surface. The theory explains the presentday tectonic behavior of the earth, particularly the global distribution of mountain building.
Biogeography and plate tectonics, volume 10 1st edition. The theory of plate tectonics 1 the theory of plate tectonics. The root of this was alfred wegeners 1912 publication of his theory of continental drift, which was a. It covers the entire section of plate tectonics in the core knowledge sequence. Plate tectonics, theory dealing with the dynamics of earths outer shell that revolutionized earth sciences by providing a uniform context for understanding mountainbuilding processes, volcanoes, and earthquakes as well as the evolution of earths surface and reconstructing its past continents and oceans. As plates move, the new crust gradually moves away from the ridge. Seafloor spreading occurs at divergent plate boundaries which subsequently create midocean ridges. Plate tectonics the tectonic plates of the world were mapped in the second half of the 20th century. Plate tectonics word scramble printable word scramble. Cut out pieces to be arranged by students, or have students cut. The plate tectonics revolution was the scientific and cultural change which developed from the acceptance of the plate tectonics theory. Plate tectonics is the framework in which geologists study and understand the inner workings of the earth.
On the underside of the tab, write plates sliding past each other. What is a brief explanation of the plate tectonic theory. The theory of plate tectonics provides an example of the evolution of scientific thought. The recent prominence of global tectonics has been as spectacular as it has been promissory of ramifications throughout established geological thought. At divergent boundaries in the oceans, magma from deep in the earths mantle rises toward the surface and pushes apart two or more plates. New plate boundaries can form where mantle upwelling results. Plate tectonics is caused by heat flow within the earths interior as well as density differences between the earths crust and mantle. New oceanic crust is formed through magma rising through the gap and cooling. The first two sections of the chapter reveal the basic observations that were.
Plate tectonics word scramble plate tectonics word scramble. Plate tectonics the earths crust is divided into plates which are moved in various directions. Tectonic plates are composed of oceanic lithosphere and. The theory encompasses the older concepts of continental drift, developed. These rocks faulted and magma intruded into the crust to form igneous and metamorphic rocks. Plate tectonics is a theory developed in the late 1960s, to explain how the outer. In addition to the maps visually obvious physiographic features that relate to plate tectonics, the explanatory text gives a concise summary of how plate tectonics work. Continents that fit together like puzzles display how far tectonic plates have moved. Plate tectonics definition of plate tectonics by the free. The caledonian mountains were once as high as the alps but. Plate tectonics why it matters huge, moving slabs of rock called tectonic plates constantly reshape earths surface. Study 16 terms plate tectonics definition flashcards. Plate tectonics article about plate tectonics by the. 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.
The lithosphere lithosphere is comprised of the upper mantle and the crust, the outer shell of the earth. Geological understanding of plate tectonics 25 that plate tectonics cools the mantle whereas mantle plumes cool the earths core. The theory, or idea, of plate tectonics says that earth s outer layer is made up of large, moving pieces called plates. Study 16 terms plate tectonics definition flashcards quizlet. The structure of the earth, plate tectonics and landforms. Seafloor spreading helps explain continental drift in the theory of plate tectonics. Dec 19, 2017 plate tectonics is the theory that earths outer shell is divided into several plates that glide over the mantle, the rocky inner layer above the core. 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. Under the plates is a weaker layer of partially melted rock. Purchase biogeography and plate tectonics, volume 10 1st edition. Plate motions cause mountains to rise where plates push together, or converge, and continents to fracture and oceans to form where plates pull.
Convergent boundaries destructive are where plates are moving towards each. A system is a group of individual yet interdependent components that interact to form a unified entity. Tectonics exhibits, displays, custom structures, trade show. In 1967, mckenzie and parker suggested the theory of plate tectonics. Plate tectonics definition of plate tectonics by the. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Plate tectonics definition of plate tectonics by merriam. Plate tectonics earth sciences bibliographies cite. Each plate is part of a shell on a sphere, so different parts of the plate move at different velocities. Label the bottom tab transform and draw the plate movements here lift the tab. In 1977, after decades of tediously collecting and mapping ocean sonar data, scientists began to see a fairly accurate picture of the seafloor emerge. Ppt the theory of plate tectonics powerpoint presentation.
Tectonic plates california institute of technology. The text is a valuable source of data for readers interested in plate tectonics. The presentation is formatted as a picture style audio book. Plate boundary movements and their results foldable. The event was a paradigm shift and scientific revolution by 1966 most scientists in geology accepted the theory of plate tectonics.
The layer below the lithosphere is the asthenosphere. The pdf format allows the web site to know how large a printer page is, and the fonts are scaled to fill the page. The theory of plate tectonics explains the earths crustal dynamics by the movement of rigid lithospheric plates. 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. The plate tectonics theory and mantle plume concept thus complement each other to ex. Plate tectonics definition, a theory of global tectonics in which the lithosphere is divided into a number of crustal plates, each of which moves on the plastic asthenosphere more or less independently to collide with, slide under, or move past adjacent plates. Plate tectonics earth sciences bibliographies cite this. Each type of interaction causes a characteristic set of earth structures or tectonic features. For example, the island of iceland is being torn where two tectonic plates are moving apart. Plate tectonics continental drift and mountain building. Plates are composed of the crust and a part of the upper mantle, these two parts together are called the lithosphere. From wikipedia, the free encyclopedia plate tectonics from greek, tekton builder or mason describes the large scale motions of earths lithosphere.
The caledonian folds were formed 400 million years ago when the american plate and the eurasian plate collided. Plate tectonics article about plate tectonics by the free. Plate tectonic theory arose out of the hypothesis of continental drift. Over 120 million square feet of annual production capacity means we can handle any and every project that comes our way. Create a piece of art model, sculpture, painting, drawing on plate tectonics and include a 5 paragraph explanation of your art. Plate tectonics plate tectonics is the unifying theory of geology and revolutionized geology cornerstone of earthsystem approach.
Propelled by intense heat simmering beneath the crust or the propelled by intense heat simmering beneath the crust or the mantle, earths surface is dramatically reshaping itself in an endless, slow motion movement called plate tectonics. Save your work forever, build multiple bibliographies, run plagiarism checks, and much more. Does the entire lithospheric plate transmit stress in the same way. An easy way to define tectonic plates for kids is to think of giant slabs of land floating over the earths mantle. The lithosphere is found to have an elastic portion which is roughly the upper.
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