ESC1000C_ContDriftSeaFloorSpreading_LabExploration_SubmissionTemplate_Summer2023_rev1
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Date
Feb 20, 2024
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Florida SouthWestern College
Intro to Earth Sciences
Continental Drift and Seafloor Spreading/Plate Tectonics
Directions: Complete the answers using the Pearson Intro to Earth Science textbook and/or any indicated web resources. Although you can work together as a group, each individual student should compose their own well-conceived and articulate answers. Please submit the .docx AnswerTemplate to the Continental Drift and Seafloor Spreading/Plate Tectonics assignment page
.
_______________________________________________________________________ Objectives
Describe Continental Drift and the theory of Plate Tectonics (CO5)
Summarize
the view that most geologists held prior to the 1960s regarding the geographic positions of the ocean basins and continents.
Describe
the evidence that Wegener presented to support his continental drift hypothesis.
Identify
the relative motion along a transform plate boundary and recognize
examples on a plate tectonics map.
List the evidence used to support the plate tectonics theory.
Describe
plate-mantle convection and explain
the primary driving forces of
plate motion.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Part 1. Evidence for Continental Drift Theory – Use the textbook Ch4
Q1. From the textbook, according to most geologists, what was the scientific opinion prior to the 1960s regarding the geographic positions of the ocean basins and continents. (Hint:
Look at the first sentence in Ch4
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Q2. Using the textbook and/or the Geologic Society website, LIST and DESCRIBE each of Alfred Wegener’s 4 pieces of evidence for Continental Drift as discussed in the textbook (Ch4.2)
i.
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ii.
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iii.
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iv.
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Florida SouthWestern College
Intro to Earth Sciences
Part 2. Use the map in Fig. 1 to answer Q3-4.
Figure 1
is a map of the earth’s oceanic crust and the crust’s respective age relative to ocean position. Ages are color-coded and
expressed in millions of years
(see the map legend). Gray areas are the continents. The color bar below the map gives the color ‘age’ of the seafloor in millions of years before present (
ex. 147.7 MYBP = 147,700,000
years old
). Thin black lines in the red zones of the ocean floor indicate where mid-ocean ridges exist.
Q3. From Figure 1, estimate the following ages
based on the age of the tectonic plate on which the islands are built on: A.
The Hawaiian Islands (Find the circled “A” in Figure 1 in the Pacific) are approximately Answer: Click or tap here to enter text. years old (in millions of years).
B.
The Galapagos Islands (Find the circled “B” in Figure 1 in the Atlantic) are approximately
Florida SouthWestern College
Intro to Earth Sciences
Answer: Click or tap here to enter text. years old (in millions of years).
C.
The oldest oceanic Pacific crust (Find the circled “C” in Figure 1 in the Pacific) is approximately Answer: Click or tap here to enter text. years old (in millions of years). D.
The oldest oceanic Atlantic crust (Find the circled “D” in Figure 1 in the Atlantic) is approximately Answer: Click or tap here to enter text. years old (in millions of years). Q4. Find the spreading center (i.e., mid-ocean ridge – black line) that separates the Nazca
and Pacific Plates (west of South America – East Pacific Rise)
and the spreading center that separates the North American and Eurasia Plates (in the north Atlantic – Mid Atlantic Ridge). a.
What type of plate boundary is this? How are the plates moving relative to each other?
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b.
Which of the two spreading centers (East Pacific Rise or Mid-Atlantic Ridge) do you predict exhibits faster plate motion? Click or tap here to enter text.
c.
(In complete sentences
) Based on the color-coded map (FIGURE 1)
, explain why you believe one region has a faster seafloor spreading rate than
the other. Click or tap here to enter text.
Continue on next page to Part 3
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Florida SouthWestern College
Intro to Earth Sciences
Part 3.
Complete using the maps at https://www.geolsoc.org.uk/Plate-Tectonics/
Q5. Complete the table below using the map from the link above Direction/Question
Answer
Name the Seven Major Lithospheric Plates
a.
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Name the Eight Minor Lithospheric Plates
b.
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The Lithospheric Plate on which Jamaica is located
c.
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Name Four Lithospheric Plates that consist only
of oceanic crust
d.
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49 out of the 50 USA States are on this Lithospheric Plate (all except Hawaii) e.
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Only 1 out of the 50 USA States is located on this Lithospheric Plate (Hawaii)
f.
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This Lithospheric Plate has the highest proportion of Continental Crust g.
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These 4 Lithospheric Plates form the Mid Atlantic Ridge
h.
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This continent has no plate margins running though it nor margins along its edges
i.
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This region/country is part of both the Eurasian and North American Lithospheric Plates
j.
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This Plate matches closely with the ‘Ring of Fire’ where most earthquakes and volcanoes occur
k.
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These two Lithospheric Plates collided and formed the Alps fold mountain belt
l.
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These two Lithospheric Plates collided and formed the Himalayan fold mountain Belt m.
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Two regions or countries that have Plate Margins running through continental crust n.
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These two Plates separated approximately 30 million years ago to form the Red Sea
o.
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These 4 Lithospheric Plates meet along the line
of the Japanese Islands
p.
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Four Lithospheric Plates that are becoming smaller due to being subducted along 1 or more margins q.
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The Lithospheric Plate that has a continent which has no mainland active volcanoes
r.
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2 COUNTRIES
with the most frequent seismic and volcanic activity due to their tectonic settings
s.
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Continue on next page to Part 4
Florida SouthWestern College
Intro to Earth Sciences
Part 4. Evidence for Plate Tectonic Theory and the Driving Force of Plate Motion (USE the textbook!)
Q6. According to the Geologic Society website, what is a tectonic plate?
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Q7. LIST and DESCRIBE
the textbook’s evidence that supports plate tectonic theory. (textbook Ch4.8!)
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Q7. Describe plate-mantle convection motion – where does hot molten mantle and crust material rise to the surface, where does it sink? Explain
how this convection provides the two primary driving forces that set the tectonic plates in motion. (use the textbook Ch4.10
and/or The Geologic Society website)
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