Download Convection

Name: ________________________________
Convection
Directions: Using the wonderful world of the internet, answer the following questions. Keep in mind the
validity of the web site (.org and .gov are reputable than any .com site).
What is convection?
Why does convection happen?
Where do we see convection on earth (Describe at least 2 observable examples)?
Two video clips to watch and take notes on in your teams:
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryrXAGY1dmE#t=11
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDqskltCixA
Why do we believe convection is happening in the Earth’s mantle?
If convection in the mantle is happening, how does it affect the plate boundaries?
1. Draw and describe how convection currents are moving in relation to both divergent and convergent
boundaries.
2. What role does density play in plate boundaries and convection currents?
3. Do convection currents support Wegener’s theory of continental drift? Why or why not? Provide
multiple reasons to support your position.
Name: ________________________________
Colliding Continents
You will be watching parts of Colliding Continents in your teams (the title is a hot link). Make certain to
watch and discuss what it happening at each question. Begin at 14:40…
15:24 The surface of Earth is made of great jigsaws called ______________________
Why does the narrator refer to Earth’s surface as a jigsaw?
15:31 These jigsaw parts sit on what? ________________________
15:55 What German scientist first proposed that continents move? _________________
What year did he propose this theory? ______________
16:25 Describe how this German scientist used fossil records to help prove continental drift.
17:16 Plate tectonics is powered by what? ______________________
17:30 Where does the heat generated in Earth’s core come from (name both)?
17:50 How does a lava lamp simulate the inner workings of the Earth?
The bulb of the lava lamp would represent what part of the Earth? ______________
Which part of the Earth does the top of the lava lamp represent? _________________
Heat escaping from Earth’s _____________ creates _____________ currents in the Earth’s
__________________
18:20 What type of boundary is being
described here? _________________
18:49 Why does the magma cool when it
contacts the water?
As the magma slowly builds, it creates
a vast volcanic mountain range. The narrator refers to one that is a 12,000 mile long mountain
range called what? ________________________________________
How is it possible that vast mountain ranges form at divergent boundaries if the plate is
separating?
Compared to the mid-Atlantic Ridge (hint to answer on the previous page), what would the
mountain range look like between the Pacific and Nazca plates?
Between what two plates would there be the tallest ridge in the ocean? How can you tell?
19:47 How wide is this ridge in Iceland? _______________
19:52 What two plates are separated by this ridge?
20:40 How fast are the two plates drifting apart? ____________________
21:24 Today, the Earth has approximately this many plates? ____________________
How many of these plates would you consider to be major plates? ________________
How many of these plates would you consider to be minor plates? ________________
Describe the difference between how you classified minor and major plates?
21:40 How many miles does North America move every million years? ___________________
Jump ahead to 24:30…
25:20 How does the Earth maintain a constant surface area?
25:35 Watch closely at this plate collision.
There is a transition from one type of
plate boundary to another. What is
the initial boundary type and then
what does it become?
Name two locations on Earth where we currently see this transition between these two different
types of boundaries.
Where will we see one of these types of transitions in the future? What two continents will
eventually collide?
Name: ________________________________
Define the following words:

Uplifting

Faulting

Folding