Plate tectonics
6.E 2.2
Kim Lachler 2011
Plate tectonics theory

The Earth's crust is made up of plates. These
plates have moved throughout Earth's
history.
–
Used to explain the formation of

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Mountains
Volcanoes
Earthquakes
Oceans basins
Pangaea

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Was when all the
continents where
together 2000 years
ago.
Different theories exist
as to why they spread.
Types of Boundary Movements
1)
Divergent
- moves apart
- when theyhappen in the
ocean –ocean basins
are formed.
Types of Boundary Movements
2) Convergent
- moves together
Where ocean meets land –
can form volcanoes
Where land meets land –
can form mountains
Types of Boundary Movements
3) Transform
- slide past
- most (but not all) are
in ocean basins
Movement

Each plate moves as an individual unit
–
–
Cities located on the same plate stay the
same distance apart.
Cities located on different plates distances
change.
Bibliography
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PBS, Intro to Plate Tectonic Theory, http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aso/tryit/tectonics/intro.html, accessed
10/05/2011
Geology,.com, divergent boundries, http://geology.com/nsta/divergent-plate-boundaries.shtml, accessed
10/05/2011
Geology.com, transform boundries, http://geology.com/nsta/divergent-plate-boundaries.shtml, accessed
10/05/2011
Earth Exploration Tool Kit,Case Study: Investigating Earthquake ActivityPredicting the Next Big One! http://serc.carleton.edu/eet/earthquakes/case_study.html, accessed
10/05/2011