Tectonic Plates - Valery Sepulveda 1st (1)
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Hon Env Sci Name Valery Sepulveda_________________________
Period __
1st
___ Date ______________ Partners Name _________________________________ Plate Tectonics Lab Purpose •
Plot key geologic events (earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and mountain ranges), investigate patterns in their distribution, and correlate them to tectonic plate boundaries. •
Analyze how these geologic events affect the planet and its inhabitants. Introduction In the 1960s and 1970s it was becoming obvious that the map of Earth’s continents has been continuously changing over a large portion of geologic history. Continental land masses crashed into and moved away from each other for over 2.0 billion years (see figure 1). These movements can be inferred from present-day geologic features resulting from these collisions and breakups. Rocks and fossils found in western Africa are also found in eastern South America. And scratches left of rocks by moving glaciers suggest how continents have moved over the last 300 million years. The idea of drifting continents was first proposed in 1912 by Alfred Wegener, who observed that the continents seem to fit together like the pieces of a puzzle. Although the evidence suggested that Wegener was correct, he could not find a mechanism to explain how whole continents could move thousands of miles across the Earth’s surface. It is now believed that the continents move on pieces of the Earth’s crust called
tectonic plates. The surface of the Earth seems to be divided into seven or eight
major plates and maybe a dozen smaller ones. The best explanation for the
mechanism is that heat escaping from the planet’s interior creates convection
currents that move the plates into and away from each other. From a geological
*Lab adapted from Laboratory Investigations for AP Environmental Science, William Molnar, Peoples Education
point of view, the most interesting places are the plate boundaries where the plates collide, separate, or
slide past each other. Scientists infer the size, shape, and location of the plates by a process similar to the one you will undertake in this project. Fig. 1 Earth’s changing continents over time Procedure Step 1. Go
to USGS.gov and plot 25 of the most recent earthquakes that are NOT in the same location on the map provided. Use small circles
for your plotted points. Record the coordinates and location for the earthquakes you choose- keep a running list. Poulsbo, Washington.
Coordinates: 47.734°N 122.625°W
Mosqutio lake Alaska.
Coordinates:59.452°N 136.648°W
Southwest Indian Ridge.
Coordinates: 37.956°S 49.161°E
Tonopah,Nevada.
Coordinates: 38.167°N 116.730°W
Sinabang,Indonesia.
Coordinates: 1.033°N 96.505°E
Borrego Springs,CA.
Coordinates 33.163°N 116.382°W
LA libertad,El Salvador.
Coordinates: 13.156°N 89.241°W
Piedmont,CA. Coordinates: 37.846°N 122.235°W
Hermleigh,Texas. Coordinates: 32.707°N 100.685°W
Iquique, chile
. Coordinates: 20.863°S 68.859°W
*Lab adapted from Laboratory Investigations for AP Environmental Science, William Molnar, Peoples Education
Mckinley park,Alaska.
Coordinates: 63.664°N 149.217°W
Gold beach,OR
.Coordiantes: 41.932°N 125.999°W
Kermadec islands region.
Coordinates: 29.565°S 176.814°W
Barcelos Brazil
. Coordinates: 0.531°S 61.560°W
Tual, Indonesia.
Coordinates: 5.099°S 131.954°E
Pole Ojea, Puerto Rico
. Coordinates: 17.931°N 67.163°W
Dhekiajuli,India.
Coordinates: 26.746°N 92.484°E
Whites city, New Mexico.
Coordinates: 31.725°N 104.574°W
Coyanosa, Texas.
Coordinates: 31.154°N 103.171°W
Mina,Nevada.
Coordinates: 38.168°N 117.837°W
Yujing, Taiwan
.Coordinates: 23.125°N 120.962°E
Atlasovo,Russia.
Coordinates:54.461°N 161.289°E
Bonin Islands,japan region.
Coordinates:26.722°N 141.496°E
Southern Midatlantic Ridge.
Coordinates:38.114°S 17.152°W
Step 2. Using the same map, shade
in the locations of the mountain ranges listed below. Use colored pencils or a number system to differentiate each mountain range
and provide a key
on your map. Alps Andes Appalachians Atlas Balkin Mts. California Coast Ranges Carpathians Cascades Dolomites Himalayas Karakoram Scandinavian Mts. Sierra Nevada Mts. Urals Step 3. Using the same map, plot the Volcanoes listed below. Use small triangles
for your plotted points.
Due to scaling issues that may have resulted when enlarging the map, confirm the location
of the volcanoes using the internet before you plot the points using the coordinates. In other words, put the
volcanoes where they would be geographically located on the map
even if the coordinates say otherwise. *Lab adapted from Laboratory Investigations for AP Environmental Science, William Molnar, Peoples Education
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Lab Questions and Analysis. All questions must be typed on a separate sheet of paper
and make sure to cite all of your sources
for independent research. *Lab adapted from Laboratory Investigations for AP Environmental Science, William Molnar, Peoples Education
1.
What patterns do you observe in the locations of these earthquakes, volcanoes, and mountain ranges? All these natural occurrences are in close proximity with each other. All of these incredibly large earthquakes have the ability to change the landscape hence, creating volcanoes and mountain ranges. They are more clustered together near the plates. The patterns in the locations of earthquakes, volcanoes, and mountain ranges show that they often occur along plate boundaries or where tectonic plates interact.
2.
Look at the diagrams of Earth’s tectonic plates and mid ocean ridges, and compare to your plotted earthquakes, volcanoes, and mountain ranges. Describe any correlations.
The correlations occurring is that they are mostly clustered together. We see the most
"movement", for example earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, near the plates that are
hitting/sliding against one another. There are also correlations where these geological features align with plate boundaries and areas of tectonic activity. 3.
Describe how the theory of plate tectonics is strengthened by these correlations. The theory of plate tectonics is strengthened by these correlations because it
proves that the plates have always and continue to constantly move and by providing evidence of how the movement and interaction of tectonic plates shape Earth's surface.
4.
Explain what is meant by the term “Ring of Fire”. The "Ring of Fire" refers to a major area in the basin of the Pacific Ocean where a large number of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur. It is characterized by a ring of intense tectonic activity and volcanic eruptions due
to the collision and subduction of tectonic plates.
5.
What processes are going on in eastern Africa? Explain what is meant by a triple junction. In eastern Africa, there is a triple junction where three tectonic plates meet: the African Plate, the Arabian Plate, and the Somali Plate. This triple junction is associated with the formation of the East African Rift System, where the Earth's crust is slowly pulling apart, leading to the creation of rift valleys and volcanic activity.
6.
What are hot spots and what do they tell us about plate movement and the formation of islands? A hot spot is a small area or region with a comparatively high temperature in relation to its surroundings, especially when volcanic activity is very intense, frequently breaking through a plate despite not being at the plate juncture. The plate passes on top of the Hot Spot, which remains stagnant. When the plate passes over the hotspot, it creates a series of volcanoes. When you near the active hot spot volcano, the volcanoes get younger. You will determine the plate's pace by dating the Islands. T
he age of these volcanic islands can provide information about the speed and direction of plate movement.
*Lab adapted from Laboratory Investigations for AP Environmental Science, William Molnar, Peoples Education
7.
Scientists have determined that plates move at different speeds. Some travel as slow as 2 cm/year and others as fast as 15 cm/year. Describe how hot spots could be used to determine the speed of plate movement. Hot spots can be used to determine the speed of plate movement by analyzing the age progression of volcanic islands or seamounts formed above the hot spot. By measuring the distance between these volcanic features and knowing their ages, scientists can calculate the rate at which
the tectonic plate has moved over the hot spot.
8.
What information and measurements would you need to calculate the rate of movement?
To calculate the rate of plate movement using hot spots, you would need information such as the distance between the volcanic features, the age of each feature, and the time span between their formations. With these measurements, scientists can determine the average speed at which the tectonic plate has moved. 9.
How did the Himalayan and Karakoram mountain ranges form? Twenty-two mountains in these ranges are 8,000 m (26,240 ft) or higher with Mt. Everest being the tallest on Earth at 8,850 m (29,028 ft). Why are these ranges so high even though they are not near a coast line? The Himalayan and Karakoram mountain ranges formed when the Indian Plate collided with the Eurasian Plate. The immense pressure from this collision caused the crust to buckle and fold, resulting in the formation of these tall mountain ranges. The absence of a nearby coastline does not limit the height of these ranges, as the tectonic forces involved in their formation are independent of coastal proximity.
10.
Compare the Urals, another mountain range that is not near a continental edge, to the Himalayan and Karakoram mountains. The highest mountain in the Urals is Naroda Mountain at 1,895 m (6,215 ft). Why are the Himalayan and Karakoram mountains so much higher? The Himalayan and Karakoram mountains are much higher than the Urals because of the different tectonic processes that formed them. The collision between the Indian and Eurasian Plates in the Himalayas and Karakoram created intense folding and uplift, resulting in towering peaks. In contrast, the
Urals formed through a different geological process, known as orogeny, which
involved the gradual compression and uplift of crustal rocks. These varying processes led to the significant difference in height between the two mountain ranges.
*Lab adapted from Laboratory Investigations for AP Environmental Science, William Molnar, Peoples Education
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