Plate Tectonics—2012-2013
Minnesota Academic Content Standards for this Unit:
1. The movement of tectonic plates results from interactions among the lithosphere,
mantle, and core.
8.3.1.1.1—Recognize that the Earth is composed of layers, & describe the properties of the
layers, including the lithosphere, mantle and core.
8.3.1.1.2—Correlate the distribution of ocean trenches, mid-ocean ridges & mountain ranges to
volcanic and seismic activity
8.3.1.1.3—Recognize that major geological events, such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions &
mountain building, result from the slow movement of tectonic plates.
2. Landforms are the result of the combination of constructive and destructive processes.
8.3.1.2.1—Explain how landforms result from the processes of crustal deformation, volcanic
eruptions, weathering, erosion & deposition of sediment.
Essential Question 1: What is special about the earth that allows plate
tectonics to occur?
Learning Targets:
I can:

Understand how conduction, convection, and radiation work to transfer
heat and examples of each

Understand how convection is involved in tectonic plate movement

Describe the different layers of the Earth’s interior by composition and physical differences

Describe how temperature and pressure changes as I get closer to the Earth’s inner core
Layers of the Earth & Heat Transfer Webquest
Conduction, Convection, Radiation with a lightbuld/lamp—Formative assessment
Layers of the Earth Foldable and notes
Inside Planet Earth video
Essential Question 2: What is the evidence of location and interaction of
tectonic plates?
Learning Targets:
I can:
 Understand that ocean trenches, mid-ocean ridges and mountain ranges are due to the volcanic
and seismic activity at plate boundaries
 Understand that major geological events, such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and mountain
building, provide evidence of the location and slow movement of tectonic plates
Developing Understanding: ___/16
Plate Boundaries: ___/8
You are a group of scientists studying plate tectonics. Grab maps (or find them online at
http://plateboundary.rice.edu/downloads.html) for your specialty areas: Seismology (earthquakes),
volcanology (volcanoes), geochronology (seafloor age), geography (topography). You will also need a plate
boundaries map.
___ Observe each of the maps and look for patterns—record these observed patterns in an organized
way in your NB
___ Present your findings to the class using the maps projected on the SMART Board.
___ Participate in the Milky Way Lab and document all work in your notebook
___ Participate in the class discussion of what happens at different types of plate boundaries AND
record boundary drawings & notes in your NB
Milky Way lab
MN Earthquake Articles: ___/8
Within your group, choose one of the historical newspaper articles on a Minnesota earthquake.
(Each person in your group should be reading a different article.)
 Links to articles:
o Sept. 4, 1917--http://www.morris.umn.edu/earthquakes/articles/Sept1917.html
o Feb. 15, 1950— http://www.morris.umn.edu/earthquakes/articles/Feb1650.html
o Jan. 9, 1975— http://www.morris.umn.edu/earthquakes/articles/July9_1975_1.html
o June 4, 1993— http://www.morris.umn.edu/earthquakes/articles/Jun593Will.html
o April 22, 1994— http://www.morris.umn.edu/earthquakes/articles/apr221994.html
o Star Tribune article, “Why No Big Earthquakes Here? Location, Location,
Location.”— http://www.morris.umn.edu/earthquakes/articles/jan301990.html
___Read the article and do a “3, 2, 1” (3 main points, 2 questions you still have and 1 “way cool” thing) in
your notebook. In your group, share the contents of your articles with one another. Read the Star
Tribune article, “Why no big earthquakes here? Location, location, location”. (Everyone reads this
article!) Be prepared to participate in a class discussion on “Why earthquakes at all in Minnesota?”
___ As a summary, design a clever bumper sticker that communicates whether earthquakes happen in
MN, and if so, how often and how “bad”?
Virtual Volcano Lab
Enduring Understanding: ___/24
~What big understandings will I need to demonstrate?
Plate Tectonic Quiz: ___/24
On a quiz, be able to show understanding of the following:
___ Identify the direction of movement at the 3 major plate boundaries
Given a description of characteristics at a plate boundary, be able to identify the type of boundaries and
how you know:
___ Transform, Divergent (Continental or Oceanic), Convergent: Continental-Continental, Convergent:
Continental-Oceanic, Convergent: Oceanic-Oceanic (4 points each)
Google Earth Plate Tectonics Project: ___/28
Select one of the earth locations below, or suggest an alternative. Each group must have a different
place to research. Use Google Earth to explore these areas.
 Iceland Japan Africa (Eastern side)
 Aleutian Islands California (West coast)
 South America (Peru/Chili area)
 India (Northern region) Sumatra
 Mid Atlantic Ridge
Evaluate the area for the following, using information we have discussed in class:
___ Volcanoes: Number (Many or few?) and patterns (Clumped, scattered, or in lines?) Last eruption?
Where? Details?
___ Earthquakes: (Many or few?) and patterns (Clumped, scattered, or in lines?) Last earthquake?
Where? What magnitude?
___ Zoom in to observe and record land features (Islands? Mountains? Trenches?)
____ Use a plate boundaries map to find the names of the specific plates that are involved at your
location
From your observations above, determine the following:
___ The specific type of plate boundary
___ The evidence for your decision of the type of plate boundary
___ Participate in an oral presentation of your findings to the class in a format of your choice. You must
use at least one visual. This may include Google Earth.
Plate Tectonics—2010-1011
Essential Question 3: How does technology allow us to predict or locate plate
tectonic events around the world?
Learning Targets:
I can:

Understand how technology is being used to predict or better understand
plate tectonic events
Developing Understanding:
Deadliest Earthquakes: ___/8
___ Watch the NOVA Deadliest Earthquakes Video in class. With your partner, select 2 scientists to
“keep track of”. Listen carefully, and record in your NB:

What location they are studying.

What is their research question? (What are they trying to find out?)

What technology are they using to help them find answers to their research question?

What have they found out so far?
Scientists: Eric Calais, Chris Goldfinger, Tom Jordan, Ken Creager, Frank Vernon, Richard Allen
Epicenter Gizmo: ___/8
___ Do the Recording Station and the Determining the Epicenter Gizmos. Complete the Exploration
Sheets and graphs
___ Summarize in your notebook: What are P and S waves AND what do they tell us about earthquakes
and their location?
Volcanoes: ___/4
___ Complete the Virtual Volcano Lab and the associated wrap-up questions in your NB.
Enduring Understanding:
Technology: ___/24
Select one of the articles on technology and design a visually appealing presentation with the following
components:
___ Describe the technology and its component parts
___ Include photos and/or animations of the technology
___Describe how the technology is used to predict and/or locate a plate tectonic event
___ What organization is associated with this technology (Example: NASA, NOAA) and describe the
purpose of this organization
___ What current research is being done related to this technology
___ Give an example of a specific plate tectonic event and how the technology was used successfully or
unsuccessfully in that event