1. Theory of Plate Tectonics

2. Power of Plate Motion • Chilean Earthquake • Chile Quake Poses Possible Hawaii Tsunami Threat • Major Earthquake in Haiti 2010

3. A New Theory • Sea-floor spreading supported Wegener’s Continental Drift • How do we explain Sea-floor spreading and Continental Drift? • Plate Tectonics

4. Plate Tectonics • Theory that the Earth’s lithosphere is divided into tectonic plates that move on top of the asthenosphere • Plate movement

5. Convection • Hot material rises while cool material sinks • Cool material is dense • The motion of sinking and rising material drags the tectonic plate away from mid-ocean ridge • Flash Presentation

6. Tectonic Plate Boundaries • Convergent • Divergent • Transform

7. Convergent Plate Boundaries • When two plates push into each other • Classification based on crust: • Continental/Continental • Continental/Oceanic • Oceanic/Oceanic

8. Subduction Zones • Region where the oceanic plate sinks into the asthenosphere • Volcanic formations frequently occur • Formed at Convergent Boundary • Continental/oceanic • Oceanic/oceanic • Ocean Trenches = feature of boundary

9. Divergent Plate Boundary • Two plate move away from each other • Where new oceanic lithosphere forms • Can form on land as well: rift valley • Example is mid-ocean ridge

10. Transform Plate Boundary • Two plates slide past each other horizontally • San Andreas Fault is example