Download Discovering Plate Boundaries

Discovering Plate
Boundaries
A data rich exercise in which students
discover plate tectonic boundary
processes
Dale S. Sawyer
Rice University
What will the students learn/discover?
 Where are the Earth’s tectonic plates and
their boundaries?
 What happens at plate boundaries?
 How do earth scientists classify plate
boundaries?
Dale S. Sawyer
Rice University
Seismology Map – Earthquake Locations and Depths
Dale S. Sawyer
Rice University
Volcanology Map – Recent Volcanic Activity
Dale S. Sawyer
Rice University
Geochronology Map – Seafloor Age
Dale S. Sawyer
Rice University
Geography Map – Topography and Bathymetry
Dale S. Sawyer
Rice University
Overview of Day 1

Assemble in specialty groups

Become familiar with map and to observe how the data behaves on or near plate
boundaries

OBSERVE rather than INTERPRET

Descriptions should include words like wide or narrow, straight or curved,
symmetric or not symmetric, deep or shallow, ridge or valley, active or inactive.
Look at the whole world
Develop a classification scheme for up to 5 boundary types using the data.
 The boundary types are to be called Type 1, Type 2, and etc.
 Write a description of each boundary type on the back of the plate boundary
map
 Assign a pencil color to each boundary type
 Color the boundary with that color
 If the boundary is not symmetric in the data, invent a way to show that on the
map


Dale S. Sawyer
Rice University
Seismology Data Map
Student Annotated Map
Student Written Description
Dale S. Sawyer
Rice University
Seismology Map Example
Dale S. Sawyer
Rice University
Seismology Map Legend Example
Dale S. Sawyer
Rice University
Volcanology Map Example
Dale S. Sawyer
Rice University
Volcanology Map Legend Example
Dale S. Sawyer
Rice University
Geochronology Map Example
Dale S. Sawyer
Rice University
Geochronology Map Legend Example
Dale S. Sawyer
Rice University
Geography Map Example
Dale S. Sawyer
Rice University
Geography Map Legend Example
Dale S. Sawyer
Rice University
Overview of Day 2
 Assemble in new plate groups
 Each new group will consist of at least 4 students, each an expert in one
specialty
 The group will visit each data map for a briefing by the expert on that map.
Every student presents, every student is an expert!
 Each group is given a new plate boundary map
 Each plate group now focuses on the boundaries of the plates
 Classify those boundaries using up to 5 new boundary types
 The new Boundary type descriptions will now be based on all 4 data types
 Each group will prepare for one spokesperson to present their work to the
class
 Each plates group spokesperson presents their work to the class
 Note which boundaries are new and which are omitted based on the data
Dale S. Sawyer
Rice University
Day 3
 Wrap up the exercise with a presentation on plate boundary
processes
 Introduce divergent, convergent, and transform plate boundary
types
Dale S. Sawyer
Rice University
Day 3
 Introduce correct terminology and description of the processes at plate
boundaries
 Refer to classification descriptions that were presented/discovered by students
Dale S. Sawyer
Rice University