What Happens at Plate Boundaries?

Simulating Plate Interactions - lab

In this activity you will use modeling clay to simulate the different ways that plates interact with each other. Pay attention to what happens to each block as you push, pull, and slide the clay. Especially pay attention to the edges of the clay.

Learning Targets

• Students will simulate the movements of the earth at various plate boundaries.
• Students will identify the different plate boundaries and be able to describe their movements.
• Students will predict the geologic results of the various plate boundaries.

Success Criteria

• I have simulated the movements of the plate boundaries.
• I can identify the different plate boundaries and describe their movements.
• I can predict the geologic results of the various plate boundaries.

Roles

• Organizer, Materials Manager/Technician, Time Keeper, Checker, Reader

Materials

• 2 flat blocks of clay (approximately 2cm x 5 cm x 10 cm)
• 1 plastic tray or plate
• data table

Procedures

1. Lay two blocks of clay flat on tray about 5 cm apart. Push them together using steady, firm pressure. Continue pushing until you notice any changes in the clay. Record your observations on your data table on line 1. Draw diagrams of the clay to show what happens to the blocks. Be sure to sketch all parts of the clay block. For now, leave the name column blank.
2. Reshape the blocks and place them side by side so they are touching. Slide them sideways past each other in opposite directions. Sketch the blocks and draw arrows to show how they are sliding past each other. Record what happens to the clay and describe how it feels as the blocks are sliding past each other. Record your observations on line 2.
3. Use one clay block and pull on it from opposite ends. Observe the middle of the clay as you are pulling. How is the middle of the clay block changing? What happens as you continue pulling? What if you pull with more force? Record your observations in your notebook. Draw a picture of what your block of clay looks like once you stop pulling.
4. Place two clay blocks next to each other so they are touching. Pull them away from each other. Record your observations.

Mini Lesson

Look back at the diagrams that you created while you simulated the different plate interactions.

Discuss the following with your team

1. What kind of geologic activity do you think results from the different plate interactions? (Remember, geologic activity could be earthquakes, volcanoes, mountain building, trenches, etc.)
2. As a team, label the diagrams in your notes with your predictions. For example, you may think that one or more of the interactions results in earthquakes on the surface.
3. Share your ideas with the other teams.

Back to Your Clay...

After the Dynamic Earth Activity, go back to your data table from the clay simulation and add any new information that you learned:

• What are the names of the different plate boundaries?
• What happens at those boundaries?
• Interesting facts...

Diagram

Draw a Diagram of the different plate boundaries in your notebook. Be sure to label all of the parts! Your diagram should include the following labels:

• continental crust
• oceanic crust
• boundary
• convergent boundary*
• divergent boundary*
• transform boundary*
• subduction zone*
• trench*
• magma
• seafloor spreading
• mid-ocean ridge*
• rift
• fault