Tectonic Plate movement Learning intentions Success Criteria Understand
- Slides: 7
Tectonic Plate movement
Learning intentions / Success Criteria • Understand theories of continental drift and sea-floor spreading. • How did Alfred Wegener’s contribute to our understanding of continental drift. • Understand the evidence that supporting continental drift and sea-floor spreading theories. • Explain how continental drift and sea-floor spreading may have led to the formation of the earth. • Outline Alfred Wegener’s contribution to our understanding of continental drift. • Explain the evidence that supports theories of continental drift and seafloor spreading
Why? Watch: https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Wq 9 k. Lzm 36 h 0 https: //www. nationalgeographic. org/encyclopedia/seafloor-spreading/#ocean-floor The existence/experience/observation of earthquakes, mountain ranges, tsunami’s, deep sea trenches all over the surface of the globe has been the catalyst for Scientists to explain these natural occurrences. Alfred Wegener – one of the first Scientists to explain these occurrences. - theory of: Continental Drift - he proposed that continents once fitted together - supercontinent: Pangaea 220 million years ago - over time continents slowly drifted apart - evidence for his claims: coastline fit, similar fossils, rocks and landforms in now separated continents, reconstruction of old climate zones.
What is moving? Most recent scientific theory: Tectonic plate movement It is not just the continents that are moving but the ocean crust also, scientists call these moving areas ‘Tectonic Plates’ Tectonic plate movement now explains – underwater cliffs, deep sea trenches, earthquake and volcano distribution.
How are Tectonic Plates moving? Theory: Seafloor Spreading – proposed by geologist Harry Hess Seafloor spreading is a geologic process in which tectonic plates spread apart from each other due to the movement deep inside the earths mantle Convection currents deep inside the mantle cause spreading
Convection Currents within the Mantle Rising hot mantle pushes up and is pushed to the side and cools and falls. As the mantle moves in this way the tectonic plate “piggy backs” and moves causing earthquakes, mountain ranges, deep sea trenches Video: Plate Tectonics https: //goo. gl/So 4 XEb Video: Plate Tectonics Explained https: //goo. gl/i 95 OQb
To do: Study Strip Practical: Modelling Plate Tectonics Worksheet: Continental Drift: guided reading tasks