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The Theory of Tectonic Plates

The Theory of Tectonic Plates. The Other S ide of Our “Living P lanet”. Tectonic Plates…So just what are they?. The Earth’s solid outer layer is broken up into massive segments called tectonic plates.

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The Theory of Tectonic Plates

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  1. The Theory of Tectonic Plates The Other Side of Our “Living Planet”

  2. Tectonic Plates…So just what are they? • The Earth’s solid outer layer is broken up into massive segments called tectonic plates. • Some are made of basalt, which is found in the ocean plates, and others are made of granite, which makes up the continental plates. (Keep in mind basalt is denser and heavier than granite.) • Through different types of movements these plates shift over the semi-liquid magma layers of Earth! How many plates can you find?

  3. It’s no secret now…How we came to learn about tectonic plates • Continental Drift Hypothesis • 20th century German scientist, Alfred Wegener, noticed how South America and West Africa appeared to fit together like matching puzzle pieces. • But…he thought the continents drifted over the surface of Earth’s molten layers. • This didn’t sit well with other scientists at the time. • Seafloor Spreading • During the 1960’s scientists noticed a symmetrical pattern in the age of seafloor in the Atlantic Ocean. • It turned out that magma was escaping from the space where two plates were moving away from each other. • The molten rock cools and hardens forming new seafloor!

  4. Move it, move it! Some plates move apart from each other Others move toward each other And there are even plates that move along side each other

  5. Bringing the mountain to the Earth Science student • Have you ever wondered how mountains got so big? • The Himalayan Mountain range • India moves faster than other plates • Two plates meet and pressure from continued movement causes the rock between them to become elevated • The Himalayas are still rising today!

  6. Making Connections • We have invited students from the Math and Art classes to join our research and exploration of tectonic plates. • Team up with one Math student and one Art student. • Research a volcano and work together to create a scale model of that volcano. • The Math students have been learning about converting large measurements to small measurements. And the Art students have been working with paper machete. Help each other out to share the learning experiences. • Final products will be showcased in class with the visiting Math and Art classes. Be prepared to discuss your work.

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