Tectonic plates

First of all... let's remember!

Do you remember the layers of the Earth? Watch the next images to make it clear.

There are two very important parts of the earth to understand a volcano: LITOSPHERE AND ASTENOSPHERE. Let's share the information we can see:

More information here.

Go to the site of the Geological Society. We will try to understand all the information with the class.

TECTONIC PLATES

Click the box "Volcano distribution" and look at the map. Describe how the volcanoes are distributed. Is there any pattern?
Now click the box "tectonic plates". What can you conclude?

TECTONIC PLATES: The Earth in pices!

Now we know that the Earth crust is divided in pieces. These pieces are known as Tectonic plates.

Tectonic plates MOVE slowly over the time!!! They never rest!

Accordingly to how they interact, there are three types of PLATE BOUNDARIES:

Convergent boundary: two plates come together. One plate dives (“subducts”) beneath the other.
Divergent boundary: two tectonic plates move away from each other.
Transform boundary: two plates slide laterally past one another.

More information here.

Watch this video that shows convergent and divergent boundaries.

TECTONIC PLATES

Where is your volcano, in the middle of a tectonic plate or in a boundary?
Write the name/s of the tectonic plate/s in which your volcano is located.
What type of plate boundary is close to your volcano? Search information to investigate whether your plate/s is/are in a divergent or convergent boundary.

You could use the website of the Geological Society. Click "divergent", "conservative" and "convergent" in the Plate Boundary Types section and the map will help you out.

If your volcano is not in a plate boundary, watch this video. Justify now, the location of your volcano.

Need more information about the boundary type? this map will help you!

Share the knowledge with the class!

Now it is time to talk. First share the individual conclusions with your group. Are your answers similar? REACH AN AGREEMENT because you will share the knowledge with the class.

The teachers will check your answer.

Language support

Keywords:

Pattern
Distribution
Boundary
Plate
Hot spot
Probable

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