Name: ____________________________________ Date: ________________
Plate Tectonics Web Quest
Introduction:
A Web quest is a way for you to explore a topic, such as “Plate Tectonics” and find
useful information to help you understand the topic. In this web quest, you will be
visiting web sites containing information that will help you better understand the
theory explaining the structure of the earth's crust and the many related
phenomena resulting from the interaction of the rigid lithospheric plates as they
move slowly over the putty-like underlying mantle.
Directions:
Using search engines (google, bing, duck, duck go, yahoo, ask, etc.) and the internet
links provided to define the following vocabulary and answer the questions to learn
more about the tectonic plates of the Earth.
Plate Tectonics Vocabulary
1. Lithospheric Plates –
2. Plate Tectonics 3. Lithosphere –
4. Asthenosphere –
5. Continental Drift –
6. Seafloor Spreading –
7. Diverging Boundaries –
8. Sliding Boundaries –
9. Converging Boundaries -
Using the internet links provided, answer the questions that follow:
PLATE TECTONICS
Go to: Plate Tectonics http://www.ducksters.com/science/earth_science/plate_tectonics.php
Why does this website refer to the Earth as a “Land in Motion”?
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
What part of the Earth is moving? ____________________________________
What is the lithosphere made of? ____________________________________
What do we call the big chunks of the lithosphere that is moving?
______________________________________________________________
Most of the Earth is covered by seven major plates, and another eight or so minor
plates. The seven major plates include the _________________, Antarctic,
Eurasian, _______________________, South American,
_____________________, and the Pacific plates.
Some of the minor plates include the Arabian, Caribbean, Nazca, and Scotia plates.
Here is a
picture
showing
the major
tectonic
plates of
the world.
Circle the
North
American
plate.
That is
where we
live.
What are the two main types of tectonic plates?
______________________________________
The movement of tectonic plates is most evident at the boundaries between the
plates. What are three main types of boundaries?
1.
2.
3.
A convergent boundary is where two tectonic plates push together. What types of
geological activity can occur when two tectonic plates push together?
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
________________________________
A divergent boundary is one where two plates are getting pushed apart. How is
new land formed between divergent boundaries?
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
________________________________
A transform boundary is one where two plates slide past each other. What is
another name for a transform boundary?
_______________________________________. What geological activity can
occur there?
_________________________________________________________
PLATE TECTONICS, EARTHQUAKES AND VOLCANOES
Tectonic Plates, Earthquakes and volcanoes
http://www.pbslearningmedia.org/asset/ess05_int_tectonic/
Click on “Plate Boundaries”.
Describe what you see.
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
________________________________________________
Now, click on “Volcanoes”.
What do you notice about where most of the volcanoes are located?
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
What do you notice about where the earthquake’s epicenter has been identified?
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Volcanoes
Volcanoes - http://www.ducksters.com/science/volcanoes.php
What is a volcano?
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Magma and Lava
When rock beneath the Earth's surface gets really hot, it becomes molten or liquid. What
do we call the liquid earth below the earth’s surface? ___________________________.
Once the magma erupts to the surface through a volcano, it's called ________________.
What do we call rock that has formed form hardened lava? _______________________.
Activity
A volcano can be active, dormant, or _______________.
An active volcano is one that _____________________________________________.
A dormant volcano is one that ____________________________________________.
An extinct volcano is one that ____________________________________________.
Types of Volcanoes
What are the four types of volcanoes?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Continue on next two pages….. Using the internet, define each type of volcano and draw
a picture of each type of volcano.
Cinder cones - _______________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Composite volcanoes - __________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Shield volcanoes - _____________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Lava domes - ________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Volcanoes of the Earth - http://volcanoes.travel-channels.com/