Earth's Tectonic Plates and Plate Boundaries - Classification and Characteristics

1. http://www.geophysics.rice.edu/plateboundary/ Where are the Earth’s tectonic plates and their boundaries? What happens at plate boundaries? How do Earth scientists classify plate boundaries?

2. Discovering Plate Boundaries Classification Emphasizes observation Cooperative learning Random group interaction Presentation skills Discovery based Data rich Geography Writing descriptions Map reading

3. Earth Observation Activity - 1 4 teams: Volcanologists, Seismologists, Geochronologists, Geographers What does your map show? What patterns do you observe on your maps at / near plate boundaries? (symmetric, broad, diffuse, shallow, active, narrow, curved, ridge) -10 points for each INTERPRETATION! Classify the boundaries (5 or fewer) 1 map/person! • Boundary types are to be called Type 1, Type 2, and etc. • Write a description of each boundary type • Assign a color to each boundary type and color it • If the boundary is not symmetric, invent a way to show it

4. Earth Observation Activity - 2 7 Plate teams (one specialist per): North American, South American, Indian, Pacific, African, Australian, Antarctic Each specialist - share what you know As a team, classify your PLATE boundaries • No more than 5; each includes all data types • Type A, B, C, D …. • Describe / Color 2-3 minute presentation / plate tomorrow

5. Earth Observation Activity 2-3 minute overview! Describe the plate boundaries Characteristics and location? Comparison to other groups?

7. Plate Tectonics • The upper mechanical layer of Earth (lithosphere) is divided into rigid plates that move away, toward, and along each other • Most (!) geologic “action” occurs at plate boundaries • DISTINCT PATTERNS

8. Relative Movements of Plates 2 Types of Crust – Oceanic and Continental

9. Divergent Plate Boundary – Plates pull apart New ocean crust being made

10. Divergent Plate Boundary – Plates Pull Apart • Mountain chain / ridge (underwater!) at boundary • Volcanos / fissures (dataset shows only rare volcanos) • Shallow earthquakes • Regular pattern of crust age – young at boundary, symmetrical around boundary – older away • Volcanic rock types?

14. Divergent Plate Boundary – Plates Pull Apart • Mountain chain / ridge (underwater!) at boundary • Volcanos / fissures (dataset shows only rare volcanos) • Shallow earthquakes • Regular pattern of crust age – young at boundary, symmetrical around boundary – older away • Volcanic rock types?

15. Convergent Plate Boundary – Plates come together Lithosphere being consumed 3 types

16. Convergent Plate Boundary – Type 1 • Ocean-Continental Crust • Volcanic mountain chain and trench • Volcanos are in a tight line, parallel to boundary • Shallow to deep earthquakes • Irregular pattern of crust age • Volcanic rock types?

17. Andes Mountains

18. Nazca Plate South American Plate Antarctic Plate

21. Convergent Plate Boundary – Type 1 • Ocean-Continental Crust • Volcanic mountain chain and trench • Volcanos are in a tight line, parallel to boundary • Shallow to deep earthquakes • Irregular pattern of crust age • Volcanic rock types?

22. Convergent Plate Boundary – Type 2 • Ocean-Ocean Crust • Volcanic ISLAND chain and trench … rock types? • Arcuate shape, tightly spaced volcanos • Shallow to deep earthquakes • Irregular pattern of crust age

27. Convergent Plate Boundary – Type 2 • Ocean-Ocean Crust • Volcanic ISLAND chain and trench … rock types? • Arcuate shape, tightly spaced volcanos • Shallow to deep earthquakes • Irregular pattern of crust age

28. Convergent Plate Boundary – Type 3 • Continent-Continent • MOUNTAINS! • Little volcanic activity • Shallow to intermediate earthquakes • No ocean crust

29. Tibetan Plateau Mt. Everest Himalayan Mtns.

30. Eurasian Plate Indian Plate

31. Himalaya Mountains

32. Convergent Plate Boundary – Type 3 • Continent-Continent • MOUNTAINS! • Little volcanic activity • Shallow to intermediate earthquakes • No ocean crust

33. Transform • Complex topography • Shallow earthquakes in broad band • Broad volcanic bands • Irregular age patterns

36. What’s Driving Plate Tectonics on Earth?

37. It’s all about convection and heat (loss)! Vigorous convection drives plate tectonics

38. Where Does the Heat Come From?

39. Plate Tectonics • The upper mechanical layer of Earth (lithosphere) is divided into rigid plates that move away, toward, and along each other • Most (!) geologic “action” occurs at plate boundaries • DISTINCT PATTERNS

40. Evidence of Heat Loss Or Plate Tectonics On Other Planets?