Download Visio-Sub-idea A 11x17.vsd

1. Earth’s plates
are the outer
portion of Earth.
2. Earth’s plates
are relatively thin
compared to the
size of Earth.
The depths at which Earth’s
layers are found suggest that
the plates, the outer layer of
Earth, are relatively thin
compared to the size of Earth.
Possible Data
Evidentiary Phenomena
Sense-making between
evidentiary and
primary phenomena
Primary
Phenomena
Sub-idea
Sub-Idea A: The solid outer portion of Earth consists of separate plates of almost entirely solid rock.
A1 Plates abut other plates on all sides. There are no visible gaps between plates that are adjacent to each other.
A2 The upper portions of some of Earth’s plates contain the continents and some seafloor beneath the oceans.
A3 The rest of Earth’s plates do not include continental material but only the seafloor beneath the oceans, or portions of the
seafloor beneath the oceans.
A4 There are 10–12 major plates. Major plates are larger than some continents; plates can be thousands of kilometers
across. Plates average 100 km thick, which is 1/60 of Earth’s radius.
3. Earth’s
plates are
almost entirely
solid rock.
4. Plates abut other
plates. There are
10–12 major
tectonic plates.
The pattern of geological features and events defines plate boundaries.
Since there are no gaps between the plates, plates must abut other plates.
The outline of the plates shows that there are 10–12 major plates.
4.1
Earthquake
activity
occurs in
observable
patterns.
Depth
measurements
of Earth’s
layers.
5. The upper portions of some
of Earth’s plates contain the
continents and some of the
seafloor beneath the oceans.
Some of Earth’s plates contain
only portions of the seafloor
beneath the oceans.
Location of
epicenters,
correlated with
location of plate
boundaries.
4.2
Volcanic
activity
occurs in
observable
patterns.
Location of
volcanic activity,
correlated with
location of plate
boundaries.
4.3
Mountain
ranges
occur in
observable
patterns
Location of
mountain
ranges,
correlated with
location of plate
boundaries.
Primary
Phenomena
Sub-idea
Sub-Idea C: The plates that make up Earth’s surface are not static, but are quite dynamic.
C1 All of Earth’s plates move very slowly (on average a few centimeters per year).
C1.1 Since the continents are a part of the plates, they move in the exact same way as the plate moves.
C2 A plate’s size and/or shape can be changed over time.
C2.1 An individual plate (and its continent if present) may split apart into two separate plates (and two separate continents); two
plates with continents on each are sometimes pushed together and fused to form a larger plate (and larger continent).
C3 The speed or direction of plate motion can change over time.
C4 Plates are on top of solid rock. They do not float or move on molten rock or water.
C5 Abutting plates either move away from each other, toward each other, or alongside each other.
C6 When abutting plates move toward each other, one plate typically slides beneath the other.
1. Earth’s plates
move.
Evidentiary Phenomena
Sense-making between
evidentiary and
primary phenomena
Possible Data
2. Earth’s plates move
relative to each other.
Plates either move away
from each other, toward
each other, or alongside
each other.
3. Earth’s plates
move very slowly.
Hot spots are nearly
stationary and beneath
the plates. Therefore,
a chain of volcanoes
in the middle of a
plate suggests that
plates are moving.
Plates are solid rock.
Moving, breaking solid
The fact that the locations
rock results in earthquakes.
on different plates can
Thus, the occurrence of
move closer together or
We know that the continents
earthquakes at plate
farther away from each
are the top parts of plates.
boundaries provides
New rock is forming at the
other indicates that plates
The match of the coastlines evidence that the plates
mid-ocean ridge and moving
can move toward each
away from the mid-ocean
We know that the continents suggests that the continents
are moving.
other, away from each
are the top parts of plates.
were once joined at one
ridge, suggesting that
other, or alongside
If we assume that the
point (Pangaea). Then the
plates are moving away
each other.
from each other.
continents were joined at one plates must have moved in
order for the continents to
point (Pangaea), then the
plates must have moved in be in their current locations.
order for the continents to
be in their current locations.
1.1 Chains of
progressively
older
volcanoes are
formed by hot
spots.
1.2 The
present-day
continents
look much
different
from
Pangaea.
Table or narrative
description of age
(absolute or
relative) of island
vs. distance from
“fixed point” (e.g.
hot spot).
Map of island
chain and hot spot
with age (absolute
or relative) of
islands
superimposed on
map.
Map of
Pangaea and
map of
present-day
continents.
Map
showing the
progressive
breakup of
Pangaea.
1.3 The
coastlines
of some of
the
continents
appear as if
they fit
together
like jigsaw
puzzle
pieces.
Present-day
map of
South
America and
Africa.
1.4
Earthquakes
occur at plate
boundaries.
Distribution
of earthquakes
superimposed
on a map of
plate
boundaries.
2.1 Two
locations on
different
plates can
move farther
away from
each other or
closer
together.
Latitude and
longitude data
over time for
two locations
on different
plates.
Distance
between two
locations on
different
plates over
time.
2.2 On a
plate, the
farther
rocks are
from a midocean ridge
the older
the rocks
are.
Table of data
with age of
rock and
distance from
mid-ocean
ridge.
Dividing the distance from
the spreading center by the
age of the rock suggests a
rate of plate movement of
a few centimeters per year.
Models that
allow students
to collect data
about age of
“seafloor.”
3.3 New rock
is formed at
spreading
centers, and
rock becomes
progressively
older moving
away from the
spreading
center.
3.2 GPS
ground
stations
move a few
centimeters
per year.
Distance in
miles between
New York and
Paris over
many years.
Distance
between ground
stations on
different plates
over time.
Map with age of
rock and midocean ridge
superimposed on
ocean floor.
5. Earth’s plates
can join/fuse
together to form
larger plates.
Rift valleys suggest
that continents, and
therefore plates, are
splitting now.
Each of these evidentiary phenomena indicates that
Earth’s plates move very slowly.
3.1 Plate
motion
typically is
not easily
perceptible.
Map with age
of rock and
mid-ocean
ridge
superimposed
on ocean floor.
4. Earth’s plates can split
apart into two separate
plates; if a continent is
involved in the splitting,
this can result in two
separate continents.
Table of data
with age of
rock and
distance from
spreading
center.
The evidence suggests that continents, and
therefore plates, were once joined. Since they are
no longer joined, they must have split apart.
4.1 Similar
nonmarine
fossils are
found on
separate
plates.
Location of
similar nonmarine fossils
on separate
present-day
continents.
4.2
Coastlines of
present-day
continents
on different
plates appear
to fit like
pieces of a
jigsaw
puzzle.
4.3
Similar
landforms
are found
on
separate
plates.
Presentday map of
continents.
Representations
of present-day
continents that
can be moved or
manipulated.
Some mountain ranges
suggest that plate motion
caused continents to
collide, mountains to
form, and plates
to fuse together.
4.4 Several
continents
are
actively
splitting
apart right
now.
Location of similar
rock types and/or
landforms on
separate presentday continents.
6. The speed or
direction of plate
motion can change
over time.
The formation of the Appalachian
mountains by the collision of the
North American and African plate
and the subsequent formation of the
Atlantic Ocean when those plates
moved away from each other
The fact that continents
indicate that the direction of the
are the top parts of plates and
movement of plates can change.
the speed of a plate can
Some seismic waves
change over time suggests Bends in volcanic
pass through Earth’s
island chains that
that when plates move,
interior until they hit
formed above hot
their speed can change.
the liquid outer core,
spots suggest that
showing that the
a plate has shifted
rock directly beneath
its direction of
plates is solid.
movement.
5.1. Some
mountain
ranges
formed
where
continents
on two
plates
collided.
The increasing
distance between
two points on the
same continent
that is actively
splitting.
7. Earth’s plates
are on top of
solid rock.
6.1 The
speed of
a plate
can
change
over
time.
Different rock
types within
the same
mountain
range.
6.2
Some
volcanic
island
chains
have
bends.
Speed of
plate
movement
over time.
6.3 The
Appalachian
mountains
formed by the
collision of two
plates, and the
Atlantic Ocean
formed when
those two plates
moved away
from each
other.
Aerial views
of volcanic
island
chains.
7.1 Some
seismic
waves can
travel only
through
solid rock.
Rate of travel
of s-waves
through
Earth’s layers.
Sub-Idea F:
Sub-idea
F1
F2
F3
Primary
Phenomena
F4
1. Plates move away
from each other
resulting in specific
features and events.
Evidentiary Phenomena
Sense-making between
evidentiary and primary
phenomena
Possible Data
Plate motion causes abutting plates to interact with one another along their boundaries resulting in observable geological
features and events.
Prominent and distinctive features on Earth’s surface include volcanoes, mountain ranges (volcanic & non-volcanic), deep ocean trenches,
and mid-ocean ridges.
Events are significant occurrences or happenings at a given place and time, such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and mountain building.
These geological features and events are most common at, or close to, the boundaries between two plates.
F3.1. Volcanoes, mountain ranges, and earthquakes can also occur in areas that are not near plate boundaries.
Appendix 1 - The specific events and features that result from the different types of plate interactions are detailed in Appendix 1.
When Earth’s plates move away from each other, earthquakes, volcanic
eruptions, volcanic mountain-building, and rifting can occur, and volcanoes
and mid-ocean ridges and rift valleys occur as a result of plate interactions.
1.1
Earthquakes
occur where
plates move
away from
each other.
Occurrence of
epicenters
correlated to
the location of
divergent plate
boundaries.
1.2 Volcanic
eruptions or
volcanoes
occur where
plates move
away from
each other
Occurrence of
volcanic eruptions
or location of
volcanoes correlated
to the location of
divergent plate
boundaries.
1.3 Midocean ridges
form where
plates move
away from
each other.
Location of midocean ridges
correlated to the
location of
divergent plate
boundaries.
1.4 Rifting
or rift
valleys
occurs/form
where plates
move away
from each
other.
Occurrence of
rifting or location
of rift valleys
correlated to the
location of
divergent plate
boundaries.
2. Plates move toward
each other resulting in
specific features and
events.
When plates with continents at their
adjacent edges move toward one another,
earthquakes, non-volcanic mountain
building, and non-volcanic mountain ranges
occur/form as a result of plate interactions.
2.1
Earthquakes
occur when
plates with
continents on
each plate
move toward
each other.
Occurrence of
earthquakes correlated
to the location of
convergent boundaries
where both plates have
continents at their
adjacent edges.
2.2 Nonvolcanic
mountain
ranges form
when plates
with
continents on
each plate
move toward
each other.
Location of nonvolcanic mountain
ranges correlated to the
location of convergent
plate boundaries where
both plates have
continents at their
adjacent edges.
3. Plates
move alongside
each other resulting in
earthquakes.
When plates with no continents or a continent on the edge of only one of the plates move toward one another,
earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, volcanic mountain building, volcanoes, volcanic mountain ranges/series of
volcanic islands and deep-sea trenches occur/form as a result of plate interactions.
2.3
Earthquakes
occur when
plates with no
continents or
a continent on
the edge of
only one of
the plates
move toward
each other.
Occurrence of
earthquakes correlated
to the location of
convergent plate
boundaries with no
continents or a
continent on the
adjacent edge of only
one of the plates.
2.4 Volcanic
eruptions or
volcanoes occur/
form when plates
with no
continents or a
continent on the
edge of only one
of the plates
move toward
each other.
Occurrence of volcanic
eruptions or the location
of volcanoes correlated
to the location of
convergent plate
boundaries with no
continents or a continent
on the adjacent edge of
only one of the plates.
4. Geological features and
events are most likely to occur
at or close to the boundaries
between Earth’s plates. They
can also occur in areas that are
not near Earth’s plate
boundaries.
2.5 Volcanic
mountainbuilding occurs
when plates with
no continents or
a continent on
the edge of only
one of the plates
move toward
each other.
Location of volcanic
mountain-building
correlated to the location
of convergent plate
boundaries with no
continents or a continent
on the adjacent edge of
only one of the plates.
When Earth’s plates
move alongside each
other, earthquakes can
occur as a result of
plate interactions.
2.6 Volcanic
mountain ranges/
series of volcanic
islands form
when plates with
no continents or a
continent on the
edge of only one
of the plates
move toward
each other.
Location of volcanic
mountain ranges
correlated to the location
of convergent plate
boundaries with no
continents or a continent
on the adjacent edge of
only one of the plates.
2.7 Deep
sea trenches
form when
plates with no
continents or a
continent on
the edge of
only one of the
plates move
toward each
other.
Geological features and events can occur far from
the boundaries between Earth’s plates and occur
for reasons other than plate interactions.
Geological features and events are most common
at, or close to, the boundaries between Earth’s
plates and occur as a result of plate interactions.
3.1
Earthquakes
occur where
plates move
alongside
each other.
Occurrence of deep sea
trenches correlated to
the location of
convergent plate
boundaries with no
continents or a continent
on the adjacent edge of
only one of the plates.
Occurrence of
earthquakes
correlated to
the location of
transform plate
boundaries.
4.1 The
distribution
of most
volcanic
activity
outlines the
location of
Earth’s plate
boundaries.
The location of
volcanic activity
correlated to the
location of plate
boundaries.
4.2 The
distribution
of most
earthquake
activity
outlines the
location of
Earth’s plate
boundaries.
The location of
earthquake
activity
correlated to the
location of plate
boundaries.
4.3 The
distribution of
some mountain
ranges outline
the location of
Earth’s plate
boundaries.
The location of
mountain ranges
correlated to the
location of plate
boundaries.
Sub-Idea H:
Sub-idea
H1
H2
Primary
Phenomena
H3
2. Old rock at the edges of
Earth’s plates returns deep
into Earth’s interior where
one plate goes beneath
another plate as they move
toward one another.
1. New
rock from
Earth’s interior is
continually added to the
edges of Earth’s plates
that are moving away
from one another.
Sense-making between
evidentiary and primary
phenomena
Evidentiary Phenomena
Possible Data
The rock that makes up plates is slowly being formed at some plate boundaries and
returned to Earth’s interior at other plate boundaries. This means that Earth is not
changing in size.
New rock from Earth’s interior is continually added to the edges of plates that are moving away from
one another. Because addition of rock and movement occur simultaneously, no gaps form between the
plates.
Old rock goes back deep into Earth’s interior in places where one plate goes beneath another plate as
they move towards one another.
Appendix 2 - The specifics of what, where, and how rock is being recycled are detailed in Appendix 2.
Volcanic eruptions at mid-ocean ridges provide evidence
of plate material being added (some at the surface but most
below the surface). This activity indicates that the youngest
plate material is at the edges of Earth’s plates that are
moving away from one another. Plate material is
progressively older the farther it is from a spreading center.
This pattern suggests that new plate material is
continuously added at spreading centers.
Volcanoes near the edge
of a plate where two
plates are moving toward
each other suggest that
small amounts of plate
material are being melted.
This plate material comes
from part of a plate that
has gone back into Earth’s
interior (subducted).
Volcanic eruptions at mid-ocean ridges provide evidence of plate material being added (some at the
surface but most below the surface). This activity indicates that the youngest plate material is at the
edges of Earth’s plates that are moving away from one another. Plate material is progressively older
the farther it is from a spreading center. This pattern suggests that new plate material is continuously
added at spreading centers. The pattern of magnetic stripes on either side of the ridge further suggests
that new plate material is continuously added at spreading centers.
1.1
Volcanic
eruptions
occur along
mid-ocean
ridges.
Occurrence of
volcanic activity
correlated to the
location of midocean ridges.
1.2 Rocks are
progressively
older as you
move away
from a midocean ridge.
Age of rock
correlated to
the distance
from the midocean ridge.
1.3 Magnetic
stripes are
present in the
rock of the ocean
floor, indicating
a similar pattern
on both sides of a
mid-ocean ridge.
2.1 Volcanoes
occur near the
edge of a plate
where two
plates are
moving toward
each other.
Location of volcanoes
correlated with the
location of convergent
plate boundaries with
no continents or a
continent on the
adjacent edge of only
one of the plates.
Trenches suggest that
part of a plate has gone
back into Earth’s interior.
The pattern of earthquakes
within a plate outlines
the downward path of
the subducting plate.
2.2 There is a
pattern of
progressively
deeper
earthquakes
at a plate
boundary
Latitude,
longitude, and
depth of
earthquake foci
at a subduction
zone.
2.3 Deep-sea
trenches
sometimes occur
at the edge of a
plate where two
plates are
moving toward
each other.
Location of deep sea
trenches correlated to the
location of convergent
plate boundaries with no
continents or a continent
on the adjacent edge of
only one of the plates.