SLIP SLIDE Collide
Lesson 2
Unless otherwise instructed, copy all questions in your science notebook and provide a complete answer.
Key Vocabulary
Seafloor SpreadingThe process that forms new ocean floor and oceanic crust. Magma oozes up from the mantle through a crack in the ocean floor, filling in the space between the plates and spreading out from the plate boundary.
Mid-ocean ridgeA raised area or mountain range under the oceans formed when magma fills the space between two tectonic plates that are spreading apart.
Rift A dropped zone where two tectonic plates are pulling apart.
FaultA crack or fracture in Earth's crust where two tectonic plates grind past each other in a horizontal direction.
EarthquakeA trembling and shaking of the earth's surface resulting from the sudden release of energy in the crust, either along fault lines or from volcanic activity.
Subduction zoneThe place where one plate is getting bent and pulled under the edge of another plate.
TrenchA deep valley that forms at the edge of a continent when an oceanic plate sinks underneath a continental plate.
TsunamiA huge ocean wave caused by a sudden, powerful shift on the ocean floor, like an undersea earthquake, landslide, or volcanic eruption.
Island arcsA chain of volcanic islands created by two oceanic plates colliding
1. Why is it important to know about plate boundary movement?Different plate movements result in different types of geological events. By know how the plates move, accurate prediction can of futures geological events can be made.
2. Give at least 3 geological events that can occur due tectonic plate movement.1. Earthquakes2. Volcanoes3. Tsunamis
3. What is a Subduction Zone?A subduction zone occurs when oceanic crust which is denser and thinner than continental crust, therefore it will get bent and pulled under the continental crust.
4. Explain what happens between plates to create a subduction zone. The denser and thinner plates gets bent and pulled underneath the less dense but thicker plate.
5. What causes magna to form in a subduction zone?When the dense crust get bent under, the crust travels deeper and deeper. Greater pressures on the crust and gases melt the crust into magma.
6. What is the Ring of Fire?A band of active volcanoes that encircle the Pacific Ocean.
7. What is an island Arc and how is it created?A subduction zone where two oceanic plates collide — the older plate is forced under the younger one — and it leads to the formation of chains of volcanic islands known as island arcs.
8. What is a Tsunami and how do they form?A tsunami is a huge ocean wave caused by a sudden shift on the ocean floor, such as an undersea earthquake.
Himalaya Mountains
9. Describe what happens when 2 Continental Plates collide?A collision between two continental plates crunches and folds the rock at the boundary, lifting it up and leading to the formation of mountains and mountain ranges.
10. What is the difference between Oceanic Plates and Continental Plates?Continental plates are generally lighter and less dense than oceanic plates. Continental plates are too light to get pulled under the earth and turned into magma.
11. How are mountains and mountain ranges formed?Mountain and mountain ranges are form when 2 continental plates collide (convergent boundary) and push land masses upward.
12. How were the Himalayan Mountains formed?The Himalayas were formed by the collision of the Indian and Eurasian Plates. This process began after the breakup of Pangaea, when India became an island continent and began traveling northward toward Asia. The island of India slammed into Asia about 40 to 50 million years ago near modern-day Tibet, crushing and folding the plates to form the Himalayan mountain range.
Click the link below and scroll down. Click the start button to view a model of Seafloor Spreading and Rifts
Seafloor Spreading and Rifts
Click the link below and scroll down to view a model of Transform Boundaries Transform Boundaries Grinding
Click this link to view short video clip of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake as it happened
13. Explain how new ocean floor is created.Divergent boundaries in the middle of the ocean contribute to seafloor spreading. As plates made of oceanic crust pull apart, a crack in the ocean floor appears. Magma then oozes up from the mantle to fill in the space between the plates, forming a raised ridge called a mid-ocean ridge. The magma also spreads outward, forming new ocean floor and new oceanic crust.
14. How do Transform Boundaries create a fault?Two tectonic plates grind past each other in a horizontal direction. This kind of boundary results in a fault or a crack in the earth's crust that is associated with this movement.
Click on the link and play the: Plate Interaction Challenge.You will answer the Analysis Question that was handed out to you at the same time.
Are earthquake drills important in school? Why or Why not?Your answers will vary
The motion of the plates at a Transform Boundary are also called a Strike – Slip fault. Why do you believe this is called this?First, two tectonic plates must first come together or collide. Afterwards, the two plate grind against each other moving in horizontal directions or sliding.
Explain how earthquakes are formed.Because of stress between two plates at a transform boundary which results in a sudden release of energy in the crust along the fault lines.
What is a fault?A crack or fracture in Earth's crust where two tectonic plates grind past each other in a horizontal direction.
