Download Part IV: Plate Tectonics, Topography and Ecology Due: 5/23 1. What

Part IV: Plate Tectonics, Topography and Ecology
Due: 5/23
1. What are Continental Drift, Seafloor Spreading,
and Plate Tectonics?
 Continental Drift – idea that continents have
slowly moved to their current locations over
time Alfred Wegner.
 Seafloor Spreading – theory that new seafloor is
formed when hot magma is forced upward
toward the surface at a mid-ocean ridge Harry
Hess.
 Plate Tectonics - theory that Earth’s crust and
upper mantle are broken into plates that float
and move on the asthenosphere. Plate
tectonics combines continental drift and
seafloor spreading.
2. List three-five pieces of evidence that support Plate
Tectonics theory.
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


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Climate clues – fossils of warm-weather organisms
are found in cold areas. Glacial deposits are found
in warm areas.
Fossil clues – fossils of an animal, Mesosaurus, and
a plant, Glossopteris, are found on several different
continents.
Rock Clues – several similar rock structures are
found on different continents.
Pangaea Puzzle – continents fit together like puzzle
pieces
Seafloor Spreading and magnetic reversals of
earth’s poles
3. Describe the picture above using your
knowledge of continental drift.
The Earth’s continents were once joined in a single large
landmass (Pangaea) that broke apart, and that the
continents have drifted to their current locations.
Continents drift due to sea floor spreading caused by
convection currents.
4. Describe how the Hawaiian Islands or Yellowstone
Park were formed:
Both of these are formed by a hot spot in the mantle
and as a plate moved it punched a hole in it causing
volcanoes to erupt.
5. What are convection currents?
They are currents of magma circulating underneath
Earth’s crust. Hot, dense magma rises to the surface
and cooler, more dense, magma sinks in a circular
pattern.
6. How do convection currents affect Earth’s crust?
As convection currents move molten material sideways,
large portions of the crust, called lithospheric plates, ride on
top across Earth’s surface.
7. Describe the three main types of plate boundaries.
a.
Convergent – plates are moving towards one
another , O-O, C-C, O-C
b. Divergent – plates are moving apart from one
another. Seafloor spreading (ridges/rifts)
c. Transform – plates are sliding past one another.
8. What is the “Ring of Fire”? Explain why this name is
appropriate.
(NOTE: Neither Johnny Cash or Nemo play a role in this
response  )
It is found in the Pacific Ocean where many plate
boundaries are located. This area is where a great
number of earthquakes and volcanoes occur.
9. What landforms are created when:
http://www.age-of-thesage.org/tectonic_plates/boundaries_boundary_typ
es.html
a. Oceanic crusts diverge- Ridges and rifts-Mid Atlantic
ridge
b. Continental crusts converge- folded mountains
Himalayas
http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Glossary/PlateTectonics/Map
s/map_plate_tectonics_world.html
13. What is the difference between a contour line & an
index contour line?
Contour lines are the lines that represent a level of
elevation in a topographic map. They outline the
appearance of that particular elevation.
An index contour is either a darkened or bolder line
(normally every 5th line) on which the contour number
is listed.
10. The map above shows the western coast of
South America. Which process caused the
upward movement that formed the Andes
Mountains?
14. What is a contour interval?
A contour interval is the difference in elevation of 2
adjacent contour lines
a. Seafloor Spreading
b. Deposition of sediment
c. Tectonic plate collision
d. Erosion of rock layer
TRANSFORM!
11. In the picture above, the North American
continental plate is moving south and the
Pacific Oceanic plate is moving north. Which of
the following is the most likely outcome of this
movement?
a. Earthquake
b. Volcano
c. Mountain
d. Pieces of California
breaking off into the ocean
Use the topographic map above to answer the
questions below.
12. What is the purpose of using a topographic map?
A topographic map is 1 dimensional objective of a
3 dimensional feature. It allows you to see the
surface features, roads, and other man made
features on a map.
Use the map above and information from questions
#12-14 to answer the questions below.
15. Locate the hills and color them brown.
How did you know they were hills? 3, contour lines
form loops to represent hills or mountains
16. Trace over the river in blue.
How can you use the map to determine direction of
water flow?
You determine the direction of the water source by
looking at the direction of the “V” on the contour map.
The “V” points upstream and that means the water
flows in the opposite direction towards the mouth of
the “V”.
17. Add a benchmark symbol and elevation to point C or
F on the map. X or BM
22. Which type of wave causes the most property
damage?
Surface waves cause the most property
damage-rolling action
18. Add an index contour line on the map in the
appropriate place.
19. If the contour interval of Molen lake map is 10m,
what is the lowest point and highest point of elevation
on this map?
Lowest- E 90m
23. What causes volcanoes?
Magma is forced upward towards the surface of the
crust by denser, cooler surrounding rock.
Highest- F 160-170m
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24. What are hotspots and what do they have to do
with islands?
Hot spots are weaknesses in the interior of a
tectonic plate where magma rises and can form
islands in the ocean. An example of hotspot
location are the Hawaiian islands.
25. What is the Ring of Fire, how did it get its
name?
20. Some students use this map to plan a hike from a
road to a creek in an unfamiliar area. Which of these
additional pieces of information would most help the
students plan their hike?
a. The scale used on the map
b. The type of bedrock in the area.
c. The length of the creek on the map
d. The location of the nearest large city.
21. Name and describe the three types of seismic
(earthquake) waves.
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
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P-wave- primary wave - moves back and forth in
the same direction and is the fastest.
S-wave- secondary wave - moves at right angles
and is the slower wave.
Surface wave - is at the surface and is the most
destructive wave, rolling.
Which type of seismic wave moves the fastest?
The “Ring of Fire” is an area of several tectonic plate
boundaries surrounding the Pacific Plate in the Pacific
Ocean where most of Earth’s active volcanoes and
earthquakes are located.
26. What is the difference between weathering,
erosion and deposition?
Weathering is the process of breaking rocks into
smaller pieces.
Erosion is the movement of weathered materials.
Deposition is the collection and depositing of
weathered materials.
27. There are two major categories of weathering.
Identify the two categories and give an
example of each.


P-waves move the fastest and can travel
through solids, liquids, and gasses.
Mechanical weathering – abrasion, root pry, ice
wedging are examples
Chemical weathering – oxidation and
dissolution are examples, acid rain, lichens,
rusting
28. The map below shows the path of a river. The
arrow shows the direction the river is flowing.
Letters A and B identify the banks of the river.
The water depth is greater near bank A than bank B
because the water velocity near bank A is
a. faster, causing
deposition to
occur
b. faster, causing
erosion to occur
c. slower, causing
deposition to occur
d. slower, causing
erosion to occur