1 / 11

Plate Tectonics: Fossils and Features Explained

Learn how the gradual processes of plate tectonics cause the distribution of fossils on different continents, the occurrence of earthquakes, and the formation of geological features on continents and the ocean floor. Explore the seven major tectonic plates, convection currents in the Earth, and the evidence for plate tectonics. Understand how plate movement affects fossil distributions and forms various geological features like mountains, rift valleys, and trenches.

jenniferpotter
Download Presentation

Plate Tectonics: Fossils and Features Explained

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. ESS2.5 Science Date Learning Intention: 8.ESS2.5 Plate Tectonics-Fossils and Features Construct a scientific explanation using data that explains that the gradual processes of plate tectonics causes... A) a distribution of fossils on different continents, B) the occurrence of earthquakes, and C) geological features on the continents and ocean floor Science and Engineering Practice(s) Construct Explanations, Argue from Evidence Crosscutting Concepts Cause and Effect, Stability and Change I Can Statement ...I can explain how tectonic plate movement effected fossil distributions and formed various geological features.

  2. Tectonic Plates Lithosphere is broken into giant slabs of rock called tectonic plates. • There are 7 major tectonic plates and 10 minor plates. Seven Major Plates (from largest to smallest) 1) Pacific Plate 2) North American Plate 3) Eurasian Plate 4) Africa Plate 5) Antarctic Plate 6) Indo-Australian Plate • probably separate plates 7) South American Plate

  3. Convection Currents in the Earth • heat rising from the core drives currents in the mantle. • heated mantle rock flows upward, cooler mantle rock sinks • These currents in the asthenosphere move the tectonic plates. Link (3:42): Convection Currents & Tectonic Plates

  4. Evidence for Plate Tectonics Plate tectonics causes... A) a distribution of fossils on different continents B) the occurrence of earthquakes C) geological features on the continents and seafloor (Mountains, trenches, ridges, faults, rift valleys, volcanoes, etc.) Link (4:22): How Do We Know Plate Tectonics Is Real?

  5. Plate tectonics causes... A) a distribution of fossils on different continents • The locations of these fossils only makes sense if the continents were once connected as shown below.

  6. B) the occurrence of earthquakes Plate tectonics causes... Cause: friction/pressure at plate boundaries Effect: seismic waves in the rock (earthquakes) Ring of Fire Link (2:10): Earthquakes and Plate Tectonics

  7. Tectonic Plate movement causes earthquakes Earthquakes can occur at all three types of plate boundaries. earthquakes at convergent boundaries in subduction zones are generally very powerful. Convergent Boundary earthquakes at divergent boundaries tend to be shallow and weak. Divergent Boundary earthquakes at transform boundaries tend to be shallow but powerful. Transform Boundary

  8. Plate tectonics causes... ---geological features on the continents & seafloor Rift Valleys ...a lowland region that forms where tectonic plates are spreading apart at divergent boundaries. Link (2:30): Africa's Great Rift Valley Link (2:53): East African Rift Valley

  9. Plate tectonics causes... ---geological features on the continents & seafloor Mountain Ranges ...form along convergent boundaries where plates collide causing lithospheric rock to crumple and buckle upwards Link (1:14): Formation of the Himalayas

  10. Plate tectonics causes... ---geological features on the continents & seafloor Mid-Atlantic Ridge ...is a series of ridges formed along a long divergent boundary where seafloor spreading is occurring. Link (1:22): Mid-Atlantic Ridge

  11. Plate tectonics causes... ---geological features on the continents & seafloor Trenches Oceanic trenches are long/deep canyons on the seafloor formed at subduction zones/convergent boundaries. Link (2:04): Long Way Down-Mariana Trench

More Related