Download Activity #8 Worksheet as a pdf

Geology 112 – Earthquakes
Name _________________________________
Activity 8 – Plate Tectonics and Earthquakes
Due date: see greensheet or information at top of your learning group discussion for this activity
in in Canvas.
Objective: Address Learning Outcome #1 – Methods and limits of scientific investigation
pertaining to the development of plate tectonic theory.
Instructions for required learning group discussion on last page of the worksheet.
I. Plate Tectonics - View part 1 of the lecture at
https://youtu.be/1-jpD9mHsGM
Slides 1 and 2. Introduction and Outline
Slide 3. Dynamic or Static
Evaluate the following two hypotheses:
1. The Earth is a static planet
2. The Earth is a dynamic planet
Cite three lines of scientific evidence that support your favored hypothesis
1.
2.
3.
Slide 4. Interior of Earth
Draw, label and describe the four major chemical layers of the earth
Slide 5. What is plate tectonics?
II. View part 2 of the lecture at https://youtu.be/pI5Njx7EeSQ
Slide 6. Tectonics Links Together
Tectonics links together the following 4 earth observations or evidence?
Slide 7. History of an Idea - Fit of the Coastlines
What was the hypothesis of continental drift?
Slide 8. Evidence
Describe four lines of evidence used by Wegener and his supporters as
evidence of drifting continents
1.
2.
3.
4.
Slide 9. Continental Drift Hypothesis
What did Alfred Wegener have to say about what was required to validate
a scientific hypothesis?
III. View part 3 of the lecture at https://youtu.be/-IXU0vzCXxg
Slide 10. Describe Wegener’s idea of continental drift
Slide 11 - The Great Debate
What were some of the errors in Wegener’s hypothesis, which lead to its
rejection and required subsequent modification and further testing?
Slide. 12 – The Seafloor - What is the mid-ocean ridge?
IV. View part 4 of the lecture at https://youtu.be/ZUPvqDF3F6M
Slide. 13 - Physical – Interior of Earth
What is the difference between the chemical and physical layering?
Slides 14 and 15 – Low Velocity Zone
How do scientists use seismic wave velocities, both P and S, waves, to provide evidence
of the strong and rigid lithosphere lying over a weaker asthenosphere?
Slide 16 – Physical Layering
Describe the physical layering of the earth and the characteristics of each layer?
Slide 17 – Oceanic vs. Continental Lithosphere
Which chemical layers compose the lithosphere?
Which chemical layer composes the asthenosphere?
Contrast the characteristics and thickness of lithosphere under the oceans with that
under the continents?
V. View part 5 of the lecture at:
https://youtu.be/6CsTTmvX6mc?list=PLpONjqHez7RWo3dCxOrZogHDcAW-BjQDJ
Slide 18 – Science Channel Movie – Seafloor Spreading
How did Harry Hess contribute to our understanding the seafloor beneath the oceans
and how did he acquire the data, which allowed him to formulate his ideas into a
testable hypothesis?
VI. View part 6 of the lecture at https://youtu.be/6KNTKU0w9Ok
Slide 19 – Evidence – Mid-Ocean Ridge System
What evidence for plate tectonic theory came from understanding the shape of the
seafloor?
Slide 20 – Evidence – Rock Samples
How did oceanographers acquire data on the nature and composition of the rocks on
the mid-ocean ridge?
Slide 21 – Seafloor spreading
Describe Hess’s hypothesis of seafloor spreading?
Slide 22 – Oceanic Crust Magnetism
Describe the patterns of magnetism, contained in the oceanic crust, around the midocean ridges
Slide 23 - Magnetic Reversals and Sea Floor Spreading
VI. View part 7 of the lecture at https://youtu.be/VlPs2kCtAbk
Slide 24 – History of the Direction of the Earth’s Magnetic field
How has the direction of the earth’s magnetic field changed over time?
Slide 25– Vine-Matthews Hypothesis of Seafloor Spreading
Describe the Vine-Matthews Hypothesis (perhaps draw a picture of seafloor
spreading)
Slide 26 – Deep Sea Drilling
How was the Vine-Matthews hypothesis tested?
Slide 27 - Age of Oceanic Lithosphere
How does the age of the oceanic lithosphere vary with distance away from the
center of the mid-ocean ridge?
How does your answer to the previous questions provide confirmation of seafloor
spreading?
Slide 28 - Summary
What was covered in this activity?
Required Learning Group Discussion (6 points)
• After completing this expedition, go to your learning group discussion and
then post two multiple-choice questions, each with 5 potential answers (a, b, c,
d, and e), on the material covered in this activity; do not highlight the correct
answers to your questions -- scroll down this screen to access discussion area
using "Reply" icon.
• Scoring on required posting will be based on the clarity (ability to communicate
in writing) and quality (scientific insight) of the posted questions and the listings
of potential answers.
• Ambiguous questions or answers, or error in writing quality, will receive point
deductions – be clear and precise.
• Do not repeat a question posted previously by another student in your learning
group, which will consist of 8-9 other students in the class.
• Students will then provide feedback on the clarity and quality of the questions
posted by the student immediately above their own posting in the learning group
discussion and then answer the questions.
• First student to post in a learning group receives an extra 48 hours, after
deadline, to answer the posting of the last student to post in the group by the
deadline.
• After your questions have been answered, provide feedback on the accuracy of
the answers and examine the work of your other learning group members to
compile a list of the top six questions covering the breadth of material in this
activity.