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Plate Tectonics

Plate Tectonics. Environmental Science. Plate Tectonics. The Earth Inside Out Bathymetry and Seafloor Mapping The Theory of Continental Drift Lab continental drift Seafloor Spreading Lab seafloor spreading Plate Tectonics Lab plate tectonics. Earth’s Internal Layers.

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Plate Tectonics

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  1. Plate Tectonics Environmental Science

  2. Plate Tectonics • The Earth Inside Out • Bathymetry and Seafloor Mapping • The Theory of Continental Drift • Lab continental drift • Seafloor Spreading • Lab seafloor spreading • Plate Tectonics • Lab plate tectonics

  3. Earth’s Internal Layers • How do we classify the Earth’s internal layers? • How is the lithosphere different from the crust?

  4. Layers of the Earth

  5. Composition, Density and Temp. • Core: Nickel (Ni), Iron (Fe) and other heavy elements • Inner core and outer core same temperature however massive pressure and density keeps inner core solid • Mantle: mostly Silicon (Si) and Oxygen (O) • Lower density than core • Lower mantle is solid, upper mantle is “plasticy”

  6. Lithosphere and Asthenosphere

  7. Lithosphere and Asthenosphere • Lithosphere = Crust and upper part of upper mantle • Asthenosphere = lower part of upper mantle • Lithosphere “floats” on asthenosphere

  8. Rock Cycle • What are the three types of rock? How does the rock cycle account for their formation?

  9. Isostatic Equilibrium • How does Archimedes Principle relate to the structure of the Earth? • What is isostatic equilibrium? • What links some earthquakes with isostatic equilibrium? Where do such earthquakes occur?

  10. Archimedes Principle

  11. Archimedes Principle

  12. Isostatic Equilibrium

  13. Isostasy • The lithosphere floats on the asthenosphere • The various portions of the Earth’s crust reach gravitational equilibrium • Due to variations in thickness and density, some crustal blocks ride higher than others

  14. Isostatic Rebound • Isostatic Equilibrium is the balance between the weight of the lithosphere and the buoyant force of the asthenosphere • Isostatic Rebound is when compensation occurs from an increase or decrease of lithospheric weight…causing earthquakes along weak areas called - faults

  15. Onto the Festivities!!!

  16. Alfred Wegner and Continental Drift • What is Pangea and Panthalassa? • What is the theory of continental drift? • What evidence did Wegner use to support his theory? • Why didn’t scientists support his theory? What further evidence could have strengthened his theory?

  17. Pangea Panthalassa

  18. Wegner’s Theory • Pangea: big supercontinent • Panthalassa – Ocean surrounding Pangea • Wegner theorized that because the less dense continents floated on the more dense matle, Pangea broke apart into separate pieces. • Theory of Continental Drift

  19. The Evidence • Pieces fit together like a puzzle

  20. Fossil Distribution

  21. Accepted Theory? I Think Not! • Good evidence but no go for public acceptance. • Possibly because Alfred was a meteorologist not a geologist • To many gaps between continents • He disappeared on an expedition in 1930 in Greenland • Later on, plate tectonics theory described how the gaps between the continents were continental shelves

  22. O.k. Let’s Check It Out • Pangea Lab!!!! • Oooooh Yeah Baby!

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