Download Plate Tectonics

Plate Tectonics
EQ: How do lithospheric plates move and how do they affect the Earth’s surface?
An Idea Before its Time
 In 1912, ___________________________________ proposed the idea of ____________________________________
 He suggested that all of the ____________________________________ were once ___________________________
together to form a _____________________________________________
Pangaea
 Wegener called this super landmass _____________________________ and believed that it broke apart
_________________________ years ago
 Pangaea means “____________________________”
 At first, his theory was _________________________________________________

___________________ to explain how the continents drifted apart
Evidence down the Road
 Years later came important observations that supported Continental Drift
1. _____________________________- similar fossils found in South America and Africa and others
found in Africa, Australia, India, South America, and Antarctica.
2. Rock evidence- similar rock structures are found on different continents, such as this
________________________________ that end at one coastline, only to ________________________ on a
landmass across the ________________________.
3. Climate Clues- __________________________________ and rock surfaces shows that parts of South
America, Africa, India, and Australia were once covered with
_____________________________________
Quick Check:
1. What is Continental Drift? _________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. What 3 pieces of evidence support the idea of Pangaea? ___________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
A New Theory Emerges
 Wegener could not provide an ________________________ of exactly what made the continents move.
 New ____________________________ lead to findings which then lead to a _____________________ called
__________________________________
This New Evidence…
 With new technologies, scientists discovered a ___________________________________________ on the
_______________________________ known as the ________________________________________
 Mid-ocean ridges are underwater chains that run through Earth’s ocean basin
Seafloor Spreading
 Mid-ocean ridges are places where the _____________________________________________________________________
 As _______________________________ move away from each other, the seafloor spreads apart and
_________________ rises to fill in the gaps
 The hot magma contacts ocean water, cools and hardens becoming new_________________
 This process is known as ____________________________________________
Plate Tectonics
 The Theory of Plate Tectonics was developed in 1960s and
_______________________________ and ______________________________.
the theories of
 Scientist believe the Earth’s _______________ and part of the ______________________ is broken into 13
sections that make up the plates which move on top of the _________________________
Convection Currents
 Convection currents, originating ___________________________________________, provides the
________________________ that drives plate tectonic
 These currents rotate in _____________________________, _______________________________________
Plate Boundaries
 ____________________________________________ are the place where two plates move __________.
 __________________________ boundaries form where two plates move ________________________.
 __________________________ fault boundaries are where two plates ____________ past each other without the
production or destruction of the lithosphere.
Plate Tectonic Discussion Questions:
1. Explain why Wegener’s theory of Continental Drift was not accepted at first.
2. Explain what is Plate Tectonics and what causes the movement of plate tectonics.
3. What are the 3 plate boundaries and describe them.