Download Name Youngblood, Period

Name _________________________________ Stewart, Period _______ Date ___________
Dynamic Earth Notes
You will need to use the following internet sites to complete this activity:
http://www.mnh.si.edu/earth/main_frames.html and
http://www.learner.org/interactives/dynamicearth/drift.html
Geological Revolution tab
Plate Tectonics (Read “Continents Adrift” at the first site AND “Plate Tectonics” at the
second site. You’ll have to click on “How do we know this?” to get to the information.)
1. Name of the German scientist who first noticed that the coastlines of Africa and South
America fit together like puzzle pieces. ____________________________________ 1
2. He used evidence, such as common plant and animal ________________ as well as
______________________ formations to support his theory. 2
3. His name for the original supercontinent _______________________ which means “all
the Earth” in Greek. 2
4. Wegener’s original field of scientific expertise was as a ________________________. 1
5. Why was his theory so vehemently (strongly) opposed by geologists of his day (give at
least two
reasons)? 1
First site: Plate Tectonics, Geological Revolution (Secrets from the Sea Floor)
Second site: Plate Tectonics, Continents Over Time
6. During the 1960s geologists, upon probing the ocean floor, found that Wegener’s ideas
were basically correct. The ______________________________theory resulted. 1
7. According to this newer theory, the earth’s outer layer or _________________________
is broken into several large slabs called ____________________. 2
8. The theory explains not only how and why earth’s plates move, but also explains the
reason for _________________________ and ___________________ on the Earth. 2
9. The name of the next supercontinent theorized by scientists and mapped by Dr. C.R.
Scotese is called ___________________________________. 2 (after bonus question)
Plates and Boundaries (This whole section is found at the second site.)
10. ______________________________ crust underlies the continents and is about _____
to ______ km thick.
11. ______________________ crust is found under oceans and is only _____ to ____ km
thick.
12. Which of the two types of crust is older? _____________________________
13. The border between two tectonic plates is called a ________________________.
14. The three ways plates can move are ____________________________________,
_____________________________, or _____________________________________.
15. Draw, name and explain the three types of plate boundaries and give examples of
where on the Earth each type is occurring. (Four parts to each type of boundaries)
Take the Plates and Boundaries challenge and stop for today.
Plate Tectonics 101
(First site: Plate Tectonics, Orientation Theater)
16. What three types of geologic events occur at plate boundaries?
17. The plates are made of the crust and uppermost mantle in a layer known as the
_____________________________.
18. The plates ride on a layer of hot flowing mantle rock in a region known as the
_____________________________.
19. Explain why the plates move.
20. The Earth is divided into ____________ large plates and ____________ smaller
plates.
21. Plates have always maintained the same size and shape. True / False
22. All Earth’s plates are moving at the same speed and direction. True / False
23. Plates move apart at _____________________________ ___________________.
24. Plates come together at __________________________ _____________________.
25. Plates pass by each other at _______________________ ________________.
26. What two principle types of products are produced by the Earth’s rock factory? Explain
Which rock is more dense, and in which type of crust each is found.
27. Continental crust is denser than oceanic crust. True / false
Slip, Slide, Collide
(The rest of the assignment is from the second site.)
28. What type of interaction occurs at a convergent boundary?
29. Oceanic crust tends to be _____________ than continental crust. Therefore, it will slide
under continental crust and form a ________________________________ zone.
30. Name and describe 2 Earth events that happen at convergent boundaries.
31. When 2 continental crusts collide __________________________ form.
32. What type of boundary builds/creates new land?________________________________
33. __________________________ happens where oceanic crust pulls apart and new rock
is formed in a raised ridge called a ______________________________________.
34. Transform boundaries are located on ________________________, which are
associated with this type of tectonic movement.
35. When plates slip from the __________________ position and move transversely, the
sudden movement causes a(n) ____________________________________.
36. Another name for transform boundaries is _____________________________ because
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________.
If you finish before class is over, click on “Test Skills” and work through the questions. Refer to your
notes (this paper) if needed.