Dynamic Earth Processes:
Plate Tectonics

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Summary from Science Framework
Standard Set 3.
Dynamic Earth Processes
  • See Framework & Standard

    The earth sciences use concepts, principles, and theories from the physical sciences and mathematics and often draw on facts and information from the biological sciences. To understand Earth's magnetic field and magnetic patterns of the sea floor, students will need to recall, or in some cases learn, the basics of magnetism. To understand circulation in the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere, students should know about convection, density and buoyancy, and the Coriolis effect. Earthquake epicenters are located by using geometry. To understand the formation of igneous and sedimentary minerals, students must master concepts related to crystallization and solution chemistry.

    Because students in grades nine through twelve may take earth science before they study chemistry or physics, some background information from the physical sciences needs to be introduced in sufficient detail. From standards presented earlier, students should know about plate tectonics as a driving force that shapes Earth's surface. They should know that evidence supporting plate tectonics includes the shape of the continents, the global distribution of fossils and rock types, and the location of earthquakes and volcanoes. They should also understand that plates float on a hot, though mostly solid, slowly convecting mantle. They should be familiar with basic characteristics of volcanoes and earthquakes and the resulting changes in features of Earth's surface from volcanic and earthquake activity.


    excerpt from:
    Chapter Five: Earth Science, Investigation and Experimentation.
    Science Framework for California Public Schools: Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve, 2004.
    California Department of Education.

    Acquired from online source on July 13, 2007.

  • See full Framework


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    Plate tectonics operating over geologic time has changed the patterns of land, sea, and mountains on Earth's surface. As the basis for understanding this concept:

  • Overview and key concepts
    1. Definition of tectonics and plate tectonics
      What exactly is plate tectonics? Is it a force, theory, object, concept?

    2. Supporting evidence
      • Shape and fit of continents
      • Global distribution of fossils and rock types that are now separated
      • Location of earthquakes and volcanoes
      • * The pattern of magnetization of oceanic crust (the stripes)
      • * Modern observation of motion
        Circumstantial vs. eye-witness evidence

    3. The theory and concept
      • Age of seafloor

    4. Reconstruction and forecast
      • Paleogeographic reconstruction  [Flash]

  • Students know features of the ocean floor (magnetic patterns, age, and sea-floor topography) provide evidence of plate tectonics.
    1. The process of seafloor-spreading
    2. The Earth's magnetic field Executable
    3. Magnetization of rocks Executable
    4. Seafloor magnetic patterns
    5. Age of seafloor
    6. Seafloor topography
    7. Activity Executable
  • Students know the principal structures that form at the three different kinds of plate boundaries.
    Students confuse types of plate boundaries with continent boundaries (active and passive)
    1. Divergent plate margins
      Executable
    2. Convergent plate margins
      Executable
    3. Transform margins
      Executable
      What's the difference between a "transform fault" and "strike-slip fault"?
  • Students know how to explain the properties of rocks based on the physical and chemical conditions in which they formed, including plate tectonic processes.
    1. Bowen's reaction series
      Executable
    2. Partial melting and fractional crystallization
      Executable
    3. Derivative rocks
      Executable
    4. Temperature and pressure conditions inside the Earth
      Executable
    5. Stable phases
      Executable
    6. Crystallization
      Executable
  • Students know why and how earthquakes occur and the scales used to measure their intensity and magnitude.
    1. What is an earthquake?
      Executable
    2. Stable phases
      Executable
    3. Stable phases
      Executable
  • Students know there are two kinds of volcanoes: one kind with violent eruptions producing steep slopes and the other kind with voluminous lava flows producing gentle slopes.
  • * Students know the explanation for the location and properties of volcanoes that are due to hot spots and the explanation for those that are due to subduction.
    Basic
    1. Density
    2. Buoyancy
    3. Convection
    4. Coriolis force
    5. Magnetism
    6. Crystallization of solids
    7. Solution chemistry
    8. Geometry
    · Earth sciences use concepts, principles, theories from o Physical sciences (Physics, Chemistry) o Mathematics o Biological science · To understand Earth's magnetic field/magnetic field patterns of sea floor o Recall basics of magnetism · To understand circulation in atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere o Know about convection, density/buoyancy, Coriolis effect · Earthquake epicenters located using geometry · Plate tectonics as driving force that shapes Earth's surface · Plate tectonics evidence includes o Shape of continents o Global distribution of fossils and rock types o Location of earthquakes o Location of volcanoes · Plates float on a hot, though mostly solid, slowly convecting mantle · Basic characteristics of volcanoes, earthquakes o Resulting changes in Earth's surface features from volcanoes/earthquakes

    Review

    Magnetism