Download Tectonic Plates WebQuest - Addison Elementary School District 4

Tectonic Plates Web Quest
Introduction
Almost all of the processes that shape our Earth are affected by what is going on deep under the crust. The
formation of volcanoes is evidence that the inside of the Earth is not just solid rock. The growth of
mountains implies immense forces at work to push mountains so high. In fact, the movement of material in
the Earth even affects the weather that we have. Many scientists believe that life would not be possible on
Earth, if it were not for the activity going on miles beneath our feet.
Task
When you finish this web quest you should be able to:
Explain the theory of plate tectonics, Indicate some of the evidence that supports the Theory of Plate
Tectonics, Explain how plate tectonics has shaped the surface of the Earth, Determine what kind of plate
boundary is found at a given location, Describe the driving force for plate movement, Explain some of the
ways that plate tectonics affect humanity.
Process
Use the website links provided and answer the following questions. Each group of questions has a
recommended website link to search for the answers. Once you have found an answer, write it in the space
provided.
Recommended link for questions 1-3: Alfred Wegner
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aso/databank/entries/do12we.html
1. What evidence did Alfred Wagner use to support his theory of continental drift?
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2. Why do you think people didn’t believe continental drift theory when Wagner first explained it?
3. Who were the scientists that brought forth supporting evidence to Wagner’s theory, and what was their evidence?
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Recommended link for questions 4-8: Plate boundaries
http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/dynamic/understanding.html
4. What are the three different types of plate boundaries? Describe each type.
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5. Give an example of a location on Earth where each type of plate boundary is present.
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6. What are the three different types of convergent plate boundaries?
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7. Give an example of a location on Earth where each type of convergent plate boundaries occurs.
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8. Explain what is an ocean trench? Where is it found? How does it form?
Recommended link for question 9: Sea-floor spreading
https://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/investigations/es0802/es0802page04.cfm?chapter_no=inv
estigation
9. How old are the rocks off the east coast of North America? How old are the rocks right along
the mid-Atlantic ridge? What is the relationship?
Recommended link for questions 10-11: Convection http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/dynamic/unanswered.html
10. What is a convection current or cell, describe how it works (use a picture if you want)?
11. What are the two main sources of heat inside the Earth?
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Recommended link for questions 12-13: Humans and Plate Tectonics
http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/dynamic/tectonics.html
12. What are three bad things that can happen as a result of plate tectonics, how did plate tectonics
cause these events?
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13. What are four good things that plate tectonics provide for humans, how do plate tectonics
provide these things?
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EXTRA CREDIT http://education.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/ring-fire/
What is the Ring of Fire?