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T E A C H E R N O T E S

PLATE TECTONICS- SC.7.E.6.5

PURPOSE:
To discover how the movement of the Earth’s plates affect land
formations.

HYPOTHESIS: (predictions will vary)

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The plate tectonic theory was formulated in the 1960s to explain the movement of
Earth’s plates. There is scientific documentation that Earth’s plates move an estimated
1 -10 cm per year. Through plate tectonics, scientists now understand the cause and
formation of both slow and rapid geologic phenomenon such as earthquakes,
volcanoes, mountains, ocean basins, and ocean trenches. As the boundaries of these
large plates interact with one another, they cause seismic activity in the form of
earthquakes and volcanoes. Deformations also occur at the plates’ boundaries as they
slip, slide, separate, and collide with each other. When plates collide, mountain ranges
are formed. As tectonic plates move away from each other, rocks break and form a
gap between the plates. This begins the process of seafloor spreading. Underwater
volcanoes act between the crack of the plates, and eventually new oceanic crust is
formed causing the seafloor to extend away from the ridge.

DATA COLLECTION/OBSERVATIONS:
Lab PLATE Describe the What is the resulting
Part MOVEMENT observations that landform?
were made

A Divergent Plates Earthquakes
answers will vary

B Convergent Plates answers will vary Mountains

C Transforming Plates Volcanoes
answers will vary

RESULTS: (answers will vary)

CONCLUSION: (answers will vary)

APPLICATION: (answers will vary)

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