Lithosphere

The lithosphere is the rigid outer layer of the Earth, comprising the crust and the uppermost part of the mantle. The lithosphere is divided into tectonic plates, which can move and interact.

By the end of this topic you should be able to:

Describe the interior structure and basic composition of the Earth.
Label a diagram of a cross-section of the Earth.
Describe in simple terms the 'Theory of Plate Tectonics'.
Explain how convection currents cause tectonic plate movement.
Outline some of the consequences of tectonic plate movement.
Label the structures of a typical volcano.
Describe the causes of volcanism in subduction zones.
Describe the causes of earthquakes and how they are measured.
Describe the causes of tsunamis.
Describe the formation of the three major types of rock.
Describe and explain the processes involved in the rock cycle.

Inside the Earth

Structure of the Earth

Watch this video
Complete the SciPad p. 232 (Inside the Earth)

Why is it Hot Underground?

MinuteEarth - 3 min

What Would a Journey to the Earth’s Core Be Like?

BRIGHT SIDE - 10 min

Plate Tectonics

Plate Tectonics Explained

2.5 minutes

Is Plate Tectonics Real?

4 minutes

Animation:

How Plates had moved in the past? - To read more

New Zealand plate tectonics

New Zealand is located on the boundary between two of the Earth's great tectonic plates - the Australian and the Pacific. Tectonic plates behave like rigid shells that slide over the surface of a sphere.

Broadly speaking, the Australian plate is heading north while the Pacific plate is heading west. The combination of these motions means that the Pacific plate, which includes much of the South Island, is moving relative to the Australian plate at a rate of about 40 millimetres each year in a southwesterly direction. So Christchurch is moving away from Auckland about 4 metres every century.

To read more ---

NZ's plate boundary

GNS Science - 1:20

NZ's twisted plate boundary

East Coast Lab - 6:50

Plate Boundaries

MooMooMath and Science - 3 minutes

Why Does Earth Have Layers?

Be Smart -

Exploring more!

Things About Planet Earth

Planet Earth is this solid thing you are standing on right now. In your everyday life you don't really waste a thought about how amazing this is. A giant, ancient, hot rock. How did it come into existence and how big is it really? You will be surprised. The ground you are standing on is just a very, very small part of the big picture.

How to Build a Underwater Tunnel?

TED-Ed - 5 minutes

Why is Mount Everest so tall?

TED-Ed - 5 minutes

The Pangaea Pop-up

TED Ed - 4 min

What happens when continents collide?

TED Ed - 5 min

Geology Key Word List

Magma : Hot liquid or semi-liquid material below the Earth's surface from which lava and other igneous rock are formed.

Lava : Molten rock that comes from a volcano or volcanic vent.

Plate Tectonics : A scientific theory that states that the crust is divided into a number of plates, each of which moves on the liquid mantle.

Subduction : The process by which one tectonic plate collides with, and is forced under, another tectonic plate.

Convection : Movement of fluid caused by_hotter and therefore less dense material rising, and colder, denser material sinking.

Earthquake : Waves in the earth's crust caused by tectonic plate movement or by the movement of magma within the crust.

Tsunami : A fast moving and very large wave in the ocean caused by a large earthquake, landslide or volcanic eruption.

Igneous rock: Rocks formed by the cooling and solidifying of magma or lava.

Sedimentary rock: Rock formed through the deposition and solidification of sediment, especially sediment transported by rivers, oceans, glaciers and wind.

Metamorphic rock : Rock that has changed to another form under the influence of heat and pressure.

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