Plate Tectonics Simulation
NAME: _______________________________
INSTRUCTIONS:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Go to the website:
http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/plate-tectonics
Click the green “Run Now!” button.
Click yes through all the prompts to get the program to run.
In the upper left hand corner of the window you will see two tabs. Select the one marked
“Plate Motion”
QUESTIONS:
1. Locate the box labeled “Toolbox.” List the tools available
a.
b.
c.
2. Locate the box labeled “view.” List the available options
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
3. List the types of crust that you can select from in this simulation
a.
b.
c.
BE SURE TO CLICK THE SHOW LABELS BOX BEFORE EACH SIMULATION
4. Drag two Continental Crust plates out of the crust and into the simulation area. What are
the three plate boundaries that you can simulate with two continental crusts? (use your
notes)
a.
b.
c.
5. What type of plate boundary can you form from a continental plate and a young oceanic
crust?
a.
6. What type of plate boundary can you form from a continental plate and an old oceanic
crust?
a.
7. What types of plates can you for from two young oceanic plates?
a.
b.
Plate Tectonics Simulation
NAME: _______________________________
8. What types of plates can you for from a young oceanic plate and an old oceanic plate?
a.
b.
c.
9. What types of plates can be formed from two old oceanic plates?
a.
b.
10. Name the two plates and boundary type required to make a mountain range.
Plate 1Plate 2Boundary type11. When mountains are formed:
a. What happens to the thickness of the continental crusts?
b. What happens to the thickness of the lithosphere?
12. What is the only type of plate boundary that creates volcanoes?
13. What plate combinations can create a volcano? Which plate is subducted in each
scenario?
Combination 1
Plate 1Plate 2Plate subductedCombination 2
Plate 1Plate 2Plate subductedCombination 3
Plate 1Plate 2Plate subducted14. What plate combinations can cause earthquakes?