Materials
• 1 scoop of frosting = Asthenosphere
• 1 graham cracker = Continental Plate
• 1 fruit roll-up = Oceanic Plate
• wax paper
• water
• paper towels
Plate Movement Lab
1. Two persons per group
2. Each group will be given materials.
3. Each person will perform two boundary
types.
4. For each page, you will illustrate a comic
strip and answer the questions in
complete sentences.
Divergent Plate Boundaries
1. Cut the oceanic
plate into two
pieces.
2. Add one scoop of
asthenosphere to
the wax paper.
3. Place the oceanic
plates on top of the
asthenosphere.
Divergent Plates
4. Press firmly on the
oceanic plates, and
separate from the
center.
5. See the results, and
write your answers in
the comic strip.
Answering the Questions
• Draw a comic strip.
Before
Show asthenosphere
on wax paper.
During
Draw oceanic plate on
top of asthenosphere.
After
Draw plates diverging
and final result.
Convergent Boundaries
Continental-Oceanic
1. Remove one
oceanic plate.
2. Place one
continental plate
down on top of the
asthenosphere.
Convergent Boundaries
3. Slowly and gently push
the continental crust
over the oceanic crust.
4. Look at result.
5. Answer the questions,
and record in the comic
strip.
Answering the Questions
• Draw a comic strip.
Before
During
After
Both crust
The motion of the
crust
The final result of
convergent plates
colliding
Convergent Boundaries
Continental-Continental
1. On a new piece of
wax paper, divide
the continental crust
into two pieces.
2. Dip one end of the
continental crust in
the water for three
seconds.
Convergent Boundaries
Continental-Continental
3. Push the two wet
sides together.
4. Record results after
the continental crust
collide.
Answering the Questions
• Draw a comic strip.
Before
During
After
Both crust before
colliding
Illustrate the motion
of the crusts.
The final result of
convergent plates
colliding
Transform Boundary
1. Place your last
continental crust on
the wax paper.
Break it into
two pieces.
2. Shear the plates
against each other,
in an up and down
motion.
Transform Boundary
3. Shear the
continental plate for
10 seconds.
4. Record the results,
and see how the
shape has changed.
5. Label fault line.
Answering the Questions
• Draw a comic strip.
Before
During
After
Both crust before
shearing
Illustrate the motion
of the crusts.
The final result of
transform plates
shearing
Answer Concluding Questions
Answer the conclusion questions in part II.
Clean your area, and throw away the trash.