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http://www.geophysics.rice.edu/plateboundary/ Where are the Earth’s tectonic plates and their boundaries? What happens at plate boundaries? How do Earth scientists classify plate boundaries? Discovering Plate Boundaries Classification Discovery based Emphasizes observation Data rich Cooperative learning Geography Random group interaction Writing descriptions Presentation skills Map reading Earth Observation Activity - 1 4 teams: Volcanologists, Seismologists, Geochronologists, Geographers What does your map show? What patterns do you observe on your maps at / near plate boundaries? (symmetric, broad, diffuse, shallow, active, narrow, curved, ridge) -10 points for each INTERPRETATION! Classify the boundaries (5 or fewer) 1 map/person! – – – – Boundary types are to be called Type 1, Type 2, and etc. Write a description of each boundary type Assign a color to each boundary type and color it If the boundary is not symmetric, invent a way to show it Earth Observation Activity - 2 7 Plate teams (one specialist per): North American, South American, Indian, Pacific, African, Australian, Antarctic Each specialist - share what you know As a team, classify your PLATE boundaries • No more than 5; each includes all data types • Type A, B, C, D …. • Describe / Color 2-3 minute presentation / plate tomorrow Earth Observation Activity 2-3 minute overview! Describe the plate boundaries Characteristics and location? Comparison to other groups? Plate Tectonics • The upper mechanical layer of Earth (lithosphere) is divided into rigid plates that move away, toward, and along each other • Most (!) geologic “action” occurs at plate boundaries • DISTINCT PATTERNS Relative Movements of Plates 2 Types of Crust – Oceanic and Continental Divergent Plate Boundary – Plates pull apart New ocean crust being made Divergent Plate Boundary – Plates Pull Apart Mountain chain / ridge (underwater!) at boundary Volcanos / fissures (dataset shows only rare volcanos) Shallow earthquakes Regular pattern of crust age – young at boundary, symmetrical around boundary – older away Volcanic rock types? Divergent Plate Boundary – Plates Pull Apart Mountain chain / ridge (underwater!) at boundary Volcanos / fissures (dataset shows only rare volcanos) Shallow earthquakes Regular pattern of crust age – young at boundary, symmetrical around boundary – older away Volcanic rock types? Convergent Plate Boundary – Plates come together Lithosphere being consumed 3 types Convergent Plate Boundary – Type 1 Ocean-Continental Crust Volcanic mountain chain and trench Volcanos are in a tight line, parallel to boundary Shallow to deep earthquakes Irregular pattern of crust age Volcanic rock types? Andes Mountains Nazca Plate South American Plate Antarctic Plate Convergent Plate Boundary – Type 1 Ocean-Continental Crust Volcanic mountain chain and trench Volcanos are in a tight line, parallel to boundary Shallow to deep earthquakes Irregular pattern of crust age Volcanic rock types? Convergent Plate Boundary – Type 2 Ocean-Ocean Crust Volcanic ISLAND chain and trench … rock types? Arcuate shape, tightly spaced volcanos Shallow to deep earthquakes Irregular pattern of crust age Convergent Plate Boundary – Type 2 Ocean-Ocean Crust Volcanic ISLAND chain and trench … rock types? Arcuate shape, tightly spaced volcanos Shallow to deep earthquakes Irregular pattern of crust age Convergent Plate Boundary – Type 3 ContinentContinent MOUNTAINS! Little volcanic activity Shallow to intermediate earthquakes No ocean crust Tibetan Plateau Himalayan Mtns. Mt. Everest Eurasian Plate Indian Plate Himalaya Mountains Convergent Plate Boundary – Type 3 ContinentContinent MOUNTAINS! Little volcanic activity Shallow to intermediate earthquakes No ocean crust Transform • Complex topography • Shallow earthquakes in broad band • Broad volcanic bands • Irregular age patterns What’s Driving Plate Tectonics on Earth? It’s all about convection and heat (loss)! Vigorous convection drives plate tectonics Where Does the Heat Come From? Plate Tectonics • The upper mechanical layer of Earth (lithosphere) is divided into rigid plates that move away, toward, and along each other • Most (!) geologic “action” occurs at plate boundaries • DISTINCT PATTERNS Evidence of Heat Loss Or Plate Tectonics On Other Planets?