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Plate Tectonics. January 2012. Earth’s Plates. The crust is the solid layer (also called the lithosphere) It is broken into pieces called tectonic plates. The tectonic plates are like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. Plates intersect or meet at boundaries
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Plate Tectonics January 2012
Earth’s Plates • The crust is the solid layer (also called the lithosphere) • It is broken into piecescalled tectonic plates. • The tectonic plates are like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. • Plates intersect or meet at boundaries • Three different types of boundaries • Look at this picture, and draw each of the three types of boundaries.
Seafloor spreading • Watch this animation. • The Mid-Ocean Ridge is an example of a divergent boundary. • It can be seen from space. • It is on the ocean floor • Think: if the ocean floor spreads apart here, what must happen somewhere else?
Mountain making Convergent boundaries Example in Hawaii • Plates move toward each other • When they collide, one moves under the other • Mountains are created • Volcanoes occur
Plate movement is powerful! Mountain building Effects of plate movement
Transform boundaries No elevation, side to side only California’s San Andreas Fault
Now, it’s your turn! • Read your text (pages 324 – 328, & 334 – 337.) • Write your background paragraph telling how the Earth’s surface changes. • Gather materials • “Build” your mantle and crust • Simulate the boundaries and their movement • Can you make mountains, mid ocean ridges, and bend railroad tracks??
Homework • Complete your reading of assigned text pages tonight (324 – 328, & 334 – 337). • Write 3-4 sentences about the ways the Earth’s surface can change as a result of plate movement at boundaries. • Come prepared to test your knowledge in our lab.