Plate Tectonics The Puzzling Earth Pangea Supercontinent that

Plate Tectonics

The “Puzzling” Earth Pangea Supercontinent that all continents were once a part of and eventually separated.

The “Puzzling” Earth Continental Drift Continents are in constant motion on the surface of earth Originally proposed by Wegener 100 years ago

The “Puzzling” Earth Wegener’s 1. Evidence Continent outlines Outline of different continents look like they could fit together like puzzle pieces

The “Puzzling” Earth Wegener’s 2. Evidence Fossil Clues Fossils of similar organisms found on continents now separated by oceans

The “Puzzling” Earth Wegener’s 3. Evidence Rock Clues Similar rock types were found in mountain ranges in North America and Europe Similar volcanic rocks were found in Africa and South America

The “Puzzling” Earth Wegener’s Evidence 4. Volcanoes and Earthquakes Most volcanoes and earthquakes occur along distinct lines around the world.

Mid-Ocean Magma Ridges Ocean Floor oozing up in the middle of underwater mountains, to create new ocean floor this is called sea floor spreading.

Ocean Floor Seafloor Spreading Occurs when tectonic plates move away from each other and create a gap in the Earth’s crust. As seafloor spreads, mantle below melts and forms magma Rises through cracks, creating new oceanic crust.

Ocean Floor Seafloor Spreading New crust is found at mid ocean ridges Gets older as it moves away from the ridge. Proof that there was a force strong enough to move continents, verified continental drift.

Plate Tectonics Theory

The “Puzzling” Earth Plate Tectonics Theory that Earth’s surface is broken into large, rigid pieces

Inside the Earth Convection Current Movement of liquid material that is heated from underneath, rises and cools on top, this causes the plates to move

Plate Boundari es The place where two or more plates meet.

The “Puzzling” Earth

Plate Boundaries Plate Boundary Motion Landforms Plates move toward Volcano(Continental Convergent Boundary each other -oceanic plate) and (*Subduction-heavier *One plate slides Ocean underneath most under the other(most trenches(oceanicdense) dense goes under) oceanic plates)

Plate Boundaries Plate Boundary Motion Landforms Plates move toward Mountains Convergent each other Boundary *Plates push (*No subduction- upward continental plate)

Plate Boundaries Plate Boundary Motion Plates move away Divergent Boundary from each other (pulling apart) Landforms Ocean: mid-ocean ridge(oceanic plates) Land: Rift Valley(continental -continental plates

Plate Boundaries Plate Boundary Transform Boundary Motion Sliding past each other. Landforms Earthquakes, Fault

The “Puzzling” Earth

Ring of Fire

inside the Earth

Ocean Floor

Identify what type of plate movements create the following landforms

Mountains Himalayas Rocky Mountains

Mid Atlantic Ocean Ridge

San Andreas Fault

Rift Valleys

Volcanoes

Trenches