Earthquakes,
Volcanoes, and Plate Tectonics.
Using the information provided at the USGS website(s) and
your textbook, answer the following questions on a separate sheet of paper.
1)
What is a plate (in geological terms)?
2)
What evidence provides
information about the nature of the earth’s core?
3)
In two or three sentences
summarize the theory of plate tectonics.
4)
Continental drift theory was the forerunner of
plate tectonics theory. Who was the first to propose continental drift theory?
When? Was this theory well received by his contemporaries?
5)
In what general way did fossil evidence
suggest to A. W .that the continents must have been joined at one time?
6)
What name is given to
the super continent that gave rise to all extant major land masses? Presumably
when did this supercontinent break up?
7)
What four major types of evidence emerged
after 1950 that provided substantial support for plate tectonics theory?
8)
Explain why ancient
rocks are not found on the seafloor.
9)
What are the three
major categories of plate boundaries and what happens at each?
10) What is an oceanic trench? What is its relationship to
major plate boundaries? Explain the relationship.
11) The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is a good example of which type of
plate boundary?
12)
13) Are divergent zone sites of volcanism? Explain why or why
not.
14) What is the general cause of earthquakes? Do they occur
with equal frequency in all parts of the lithosphere?
15) The Richter scale measures an earthquake's magnitude. On
what is it based (energy released, physical damage done, number of deaths,
etc.)
16) What was the strongest magnitude earthquake ever recorded
in the
Additional Plate Tectonics Questions:
1. Seismic and volcanic activity occur
near the
2. Are the
3. What type of plate boundary is associated with the
following geological features:
a.
the
b.
the
b.
the
4. What forces are thought to be responsible for plate
movements?
Rock Types and the Rock Cycle
Objective: The objective of this exercise is to be able to classify samples of the 3 types of rocks and to construct a rock cycle using the rock & mineral samples provided.
Supplies:
1 box with rock & mineral samples
Magnifying lens
Textbook
Rock poster
Internet
Procedure:
1. Your first objective is to classify your rock samples in one of three rock types
a. Use the rock labels as you make you classification list
b. List the properties of the rock samples
2. Now use the internet to learn about the rock cycle. The following website is a great place to start: http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/investigations/es0602/es0602page02.cfm
3. Once you have information on the rock cycle, describe how each rock may have formed and predict from the rock cycle three different changes the rock could undergo next if left in a natural setting.
4. Finally,
take your rock samples from question 1 and organize them into the rock cycle
starting with the mineral samples.
The Role of Density in Plate Tectonics
Plate tectonics deals with the movement of the plates that make up the surface of the earth. As a result of this movement we have convergent, divergent and transform boundaries. The experiment we will run today will allow us to explore why we see these various boundary types.
Objective: To determine the density of various types of rocks and relate these findings to the boundary types we see occurring on earth as a result of plate tectonics.
Supplies: Several types of rocks
Ruler
Caliper
Graduated cylinder
Balance
Water
Procedure: It is up to you to design your experiment to meet your objective.
Plate tectonics Presentation
You and a partner will select a topic from the list below and investigate the tectonic activity associated with that site. You should include the tectonic activity behind your topic and the potential human and environmental impact of the tectonic activity. You will present your findings as a power point presentation in class and each person will turn in a one-page write up of their findings.
Topics: You may select one of these or find your own topic and have it approved by your instructor.
New Madrid Fault, central US