Download Plate Tectonics Map Activity Part 1

Plate Tectonics Map Activity
Plate Tectonics - 30 Points
CLASS COPY – DO NOT WRITE ON
Background: Earth’s lithosphere (crust and solid upper mantle) is broken into approximately 12 major
plates and a number of minor plates resting on the slow flowing/convecting asthenosphere (upper
mantle). The plates interact along plate boundaries. The plates converge (collide), diverge (divide), or
transform (slide past one another). All of these plate interactions result in formations and geologic
processes both on and below the Earth’s surface.
Procedures:
1) Cut out the pieces of the plate puzzle on the outside of the black bolded line (do not lose any of the
small pieces).
2) On the inside of the manila folder rearrange your pieces to make a neat rectangular shaped map
with all 12 pieces in their proper position. When correct, glue them in place. Use pages 712-713
in your text as a reference, however, do not copy the plate names used in your text. [4 POINTS]
3) Lightly shade only the landmasses of the map including Antarctica.
4) Using a pen/marker/Sharpie identify 10 of the 12 plates with the names listed below. [1 POINT
each – 10 POINTS Total]
5) With a different colored pen/marker/Sharpie, use arrows to indicate what direction the NAMED
plates are moving. [1 POINT each – 10 POINTS Total]
6) Answer the analysis questions that follow.
Plate Name
Apparent Direction of Movement
North American / South American Plate
West
Pacific Plate
West/Northwest
Indo-Australian Plate
Northeast
Caribbean Plate
West
Nazca Plate
East
African Plate
East/Northeast
Eurasian Plate
Southeast
Antarctica Plate
Unknown (?)
Cocos Plate
Northeast
Philippine Plate
West
Analysis Questions: Follow the directions below. You are to thoroughly answer the questions in
complete sentences on the manila folder as well. [2 POINTS each]
1) Shade The Andes Mountains red. Which type of plate boundary creates them? Which two types of
crust are involved?
2) Shade The Mid Atlantic Ridge blue. Which type of boundary is this? Which type of crust is created
here?
3) Shade the San Andreas Fault green. Which type of plate boundary creates this fault? How are
earthquakes generated here?