Unit 7 - Plate Tectonics
Essential Questions
1. Describe the layered structure of the Earth.
2. Describe the composition of the major layers.
3. Describe how Earthquakes occur and how to locate their Epicenters.
4. Describe the different types of Plate Boundaries and the types of Earthquakes, faults and volcanoes found at each.
5. Describe how we measure the motions of the plates.
New York State Standards Addressed:
• Standard 1: Students will use mathematical analysis, scientific inquiry, and engineering design, as appropriate, to pose questions, seek answers, and develop solutions.
• Standard 2: Students will access, generate, process, and transfer information using appropriate technologies.
• Standard 4: Students will understand and apply scientific concepts, principles, and theories pertaining to the physical setting and living environment.
• Standard 6: Students will understand the relationships and common themes that connect mathematics, science and technology and apply the themes to these and other areas of learning.
Core Concepts / Performance Indicators:
2.1j Properties of Earth’s internal structure (crust, mantle, inner core, and outer core) can be inferred from the analysis of the behavior of seismic waves (including velocity and refraction).
• Analysis of seismic waves allows the determination of the location of earthquake epicenters, and the measurement of earthquake magnitude; this
analysis leads to the inference that Earth’s interior is composed of layers that differ in composition and states of matter.
2.1k The outward transfer of Earth’s internal heat drives convective circulation in the mantle that moves the lithospheric plates comprising Earth’s surface.
2.1l The lithosphere consists of separate plates that ride on the more fluid asthenosphere and move slowly in relationship to one another, creating convergent, divergent, and transform plate boundaries. These motions indicate Earth is a dynamic geologic system.
• These plate boundaries are the sites of most earthquakes, volcanoes, and young mountain ranges.
• Compared to continental crust, ocean crust is thinner and denser.
• New ocean crust continues to form at mid-ocean ridges.
• Earthquakes and volcanoes present geologic hazards to humans.
• Loss of property, personal injury, and loss of life can be reduced by effective emergency preparedness.
2.1m Many processes of the rock cycle are consequences of plate dynamics. These include the production of magma (and subsequent igneous rock formation and contact metamorphism) at both subduction and rifting regions, regional metamorphism within subduction zones, and the creation of major depositional basins through down-warping of the crust.
2.1n Many of Earth’s surface features such as mid-ocean ridges/rifts, trenches/subduction zones/island arcs, mountain ranges (folded, faulted, and volcanic), hot spots, and the magnetic and age patterns in surface bedrock are a consequence of forces associated with plate motion and interaction.
2.1o Plate motions have resulted in global changes in geography, climate, and the patterns of organic evolution.
2.1p Landforms are the result of the interaction of tectonic forces and the processes of weathering, erosion, and deposition.
Earth Science Reference Table
Generalized Landscape Regions of New York State (p. 2)
Generalized Bedrock Geology of New York State (p. 3)
Relationship of Transported Particle Size to Water Velocity (p. 6)
Geologic History of New York State (pp. 8-9)
Learning Targets - key knowledge and skills gained:
1. List direct/indirect evidence of crustal movement
2. Describe evidence of continental drift
3. Define terms regarding earthquakes
4. Explain measurement of earthquake energy
5. Compare & contrast earthquake waves
6. Interpret inferred properties of earth’s interior using earthquake time/travel chart
7. Explain the cause of plate tectonics
8. Describe the types and features of plate boundaries
9. Locate and identify plate boundaries and tectonic features
1. Describe the layered structure of the Earth.
2. Describe the composition of the major layers.
3. Describe how Earthquakes occur and how to locate their Epicenters.
4. Describe the different types of Plate Boundaries and the types of Earthquakes, faults and volcanoes found at each.
5. Describe how we measure the motions of the plates.
New York State Standards Addressed:
• Standard 1: Students will use mathematical analysis, scientific inquiry, and engineering design, as appropriate, to pose questions, seek answers, and develop solutions.
• Standard 2: Students will access, generate, process, and transfer information using appropriate technologies.
• Standard 4: Students will understand and apply scientific concepts, principles, and theories pertaining to the physical setting and living environment.
• Standard 6: Students will understand the relationships and common themes that connect mathematics, science and technology and apply the themes to these and other areas of learning.
Core Concepts / Performance Indicators:
2.1j Properties of Earth’s internal structure (crust, mantle, inner core, and outer core) can be inferred from the analysis of the behavior of seismic waves (including velocity and refraction).
• Analysis of seismic waves allows the determination of the location of earthquake epicenters, and the measurement of earthquake magnitude; this
analysis leads to the inference that Earth’s interior is composed of layers that differ in composition and states of matter.
2.1k The outward transfer of Earth’s internal heat drives convective circulation in the mantle that moves the lithospheric plates comprising Earth’s surface.
2.1l The lithosphere consists of separate plates that ride on the more fluid asthenosphere and move slowly in relationship to one another, creating convergent, divergent, and transform plate boundaries. These motions indicate Earth is a dynamic geologic system.
• These plate boundaries are the sites of most earthquakes, volcanoes, and young mountain ranges.
• Compared to continental crust, ocean crust is thinner and denser.
• New ocean crust continues to form at mid-ocean ridges.
• Earthquakes and volcanoes present geologic hazards to humans.
• Loss of property, personal injury, and loss of life can be reduced by effective emergency preparedness.
2.1m Many processes of the rock cycle are consequences of plate dynamics. These include the production of magma (and subsequent igneous rock formation and contact metamorphism) at both subduction and rifting regions, regional metamorphism within subduction zones, and the creation of major depositional basins through down-warping of the crust.
2.1n Many of Earth’s surface features such as mid-ocean ridges/rifts, trenches/subduction zones/island arcs, mountain ranges (folded, faulted, and volcanic), hot spots, and the magnetic and age patterns in surface bedrock are a consequence of forces associated with plate motion and interaction.
2.1o Plate motions have resulted in global changes in geography, climate, and the patterns of organic evolution.
2.1p Landforms are the result of the interaction of tectonic forces and the processes of weathering, erosion, and deposition.
Earth Science Reference Table
Generalized Landscape Regions of New York State (p. 2)
Generalized Bedrock Geology of New York State (p. 3)
Relationship of Transported Particle Size to Water Velocity (p. 6)
Geologic History of New York State (pp. 8-9)
Learning Targets - key knowledge and skills gained:
1. List direct/indirect evidence of crustal movement
2. Describe evidence of continental drift
3. Define terms regarding earthquakes
4. Explain measurement of earthquake energy
5. Compare & contrast earthquake waves
6. Interpret inferred properties of earth’s interior using earthquake time/travel chart
7. Explain the cause of plate tectonics
8. Describe the types and features of plate boundaries
9. Locate and identify plate boundaries and tectonic features
Geology Glossary
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