Plate Tectonics Cycle - Earth's Moving Force
by J.R. Blueford

 

K

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6

Volcanoes
(1 week)

Volcanoes Produce Rocks

Volcanoes have Definite Shapes

Products of Volcanoes

Creating Rocks from Lava

3 Basic Types of Volcanoes

Volcanoes produce Different Rocks

Location of Volcanoes

Earthquakes
(1 week)

Shaking during an Earthquake

Earthquakes Release Energy

Earthquake Faults

Seismic Waves cause Damage

Measuring Earthquake Intensities 

Wave Movements and Seismograms

Dividing the Earth by Waves

Plate Tectonics
(1 week)

Continents and Oceans

Moving Continents 

Evidence from Continents

Pressure in the Earth

Diverging, Converging, Transform Boundaries

Crustal Movement

Definition of Plate Boundaries

Hazards
(1 week)

Earthquakes and Volcanoes cause Damage

Volcanic Eruptions

Where of you go for Help?

Historical Damage (Volcanoes)

Damage during Earthquakes

Mudslides and Volcanoes

"Earthquake Proof" Structures

In the Plate Tectonic Cycle students learn that the Earth is dynamic as it spins on its axis, revolving around the Sun. The Earth is restless inside, as it tries to cool its interior. Material inside the Earth can become viscous and can flow in certain areas. Movement in portions of the Earth's interior is reflected on the outside crust. Convection currents inside the mantle (area between the crust and the outer core) create 2 types of crustal movements. When convections currents come together, convergent plate boundaries (earthquakes) are formed on the Earth's crust. When the convection currents pull the crust apart in two different directions divergent plate boundaries (volcanoes and earthquakes) are formed. A consequence of the Earth's surface moving faster along the equator than at the poles creates tension which in part, helps forms transform boundaries.

Volcanoes - The Earth is moving and volcanoes provide structural evidence. Students learn about the different types of volcanoes and the significance of where they occur.

Earthquakes - The moving Earth also creates earthquakes. However when an earthquake occurs it is just a release of energy that occurs for only a short period of time.

Plate Tectonics - The data collected from volcanoes and earthquakes allows scientists to understand that our Earth is moving in a very directed motion.

Hazards - Students need to be aware that all around the world there are risks involved with earthquakes and volcanoes.

Rock Cycle - Understanding the Earth's Crust