Lesson goals
You will be able to learn

What are tectonic plate

how tectonic plates move

what tectonic plates can do

What are earthquakes and the movements of plates that cause
earthquakes.
Success Criteria:

You are able to briefly explain what is a tectonic plate

You are able to briefly explain continental drift

You are able to list and explain the movements of tectonic plates

You are able to discuss earthquakes and the movements of plates
that cause earthquakes.

All of the forces that wear down and shape
the earth that was mentioned before can be explained by plate tectonics
(except for erosion).

Plate tectonics is the theory that the Earth’s outer shell is made up of
individual plates that move, causing earthquakes, volcanoes, mountains, and
the formation and destruction of the Earth

Plate tectonics tells us that the crust of the earth is actually floating on molten
rocks inside Earth. Furthermore , the crust is not a single piece. It is made up of
dozens of pieces called plates. There are seven major plates, eight secondary
plates, and more than sixty minor plates.

Plate collisions are what have caused Canada’s mountain chains in the West
and east coasts. It has also played a part in Canada’s fossil fuels.
1
5
4
3
2
IndoAustralian
Plate
7
6
1.
Divergent

Occurs when two plates move apart. When this happens, both plates get
larger

Most commonly occurs along a mid-ocean ridge (but some are on land too)
1.
Convergent

Occurs when two plates move towards each other. There are two types of convergent, depending on the kinds
of plates that are colliding.

There are two types of convergent:

Oceanic plate meeting continental plate

Continental plate meeting continental plate

Oceanic plate meets continental plate: Oceanic plates are denser than
continental plates. Therefore the oceanic plate slides underneath the
continental plate. This is called “subduction.” During “subduction”, the
pressure and heat in the subduction zone melts one of the plates creating hot
magma. Hot magma rises to the Earth’s crust because it is less dense. The
pressure of the magma rising upward causes the crust to form volcanoes
allowing the magma to flow to the surface.

Continental plate meets continental plate: When two continental
plates run into each other, massive layers of rock are folded,
broken down, and forced upwards by the immense pressures of
the collision. This is also called “folding” which has made
mountains.
Continued…

If the subduction goes smoothly, few small earthquakes occur
which mostly can’t be felt. However in some places the plates do
not move. They push against one another and tension builds up
for centuries. Eventually the tension is released, and in a few
seconds. This causes massive earthquakes that are 8.0-9.0+ which
is extremely catastrophic.
Subduction Zone
Convergent
Oceanic plate
The magma rises
through the crust
forming volcanoes
Continental plate
Subduction: the plate
melts and becomes
magma
Volcanic eruptions- When two of Earth’s tectonic plates collide and
converges, one of the plates sink under and into the subduction zone. The
pressure and heat in the subduction zone melts one of the plates creating
hot magma. hot magma rises to the Earth’s crust because it is less dense.
The pressure of the magma rising upward causing the crust to form
volcanoes allowing the magma to flow to the surface. If the volcano is
underwater, The magma flows to touch the ocean where it t cools and
forms into a large solid piece of land. This land is called an island
Transform

Along a plate boundary, plates are neither larger nor smaller. In these
locations, plates move in roughly parallel, but opposite, direction.

As with subduction, it mostly goes smoothly with very few insignificant
earthquakes. But sometimes the plates lock up for many years until it releases
the tension in a massive (5.5-7.5+) earthquake.