Learning Plate Tectonics With Data

Overview: The CD content focuses on the solid Earth, ocean basins origin and structure, and plate tectonics. The real Earth data that supports the theory is emphasized and available in the Solid Earth data browser and Global Ocean Data Viewer. The Global Ocean Data Viewer is a preliminary version. Oceanography inquiry activities will be added at a later date.

Acknowledgement: Thanks to Prof. Sabina Thomas (Baldwin-Wallace College) for contributions about volcanoes and igneous rocks, and for excellent editing help.

Table of Contents: (Note: the CD also contains Earth data browsers and editors to support the inquiry activities described in the contents resources)

I. Maps and Calculations

• Goals:
  a) To review basic math and calculations important to Earth science
  b) To review and understand the use of maps to display Earth information.
• Readings:
  a) Math and math concepts review
  b) Maps and map projections
  c) Conversion factors and Earth Information
• Homework:
  a) Math
  b) Maps
• Resources:
  a) Maps to print, for your activities
• Inquiry activity:
  a) Using the Solid Earth map module

II. Earth Inside and Out

• Goals:
  a) Learn the major features of the Earth's interior
  b) Learn and explore the Earth's surface features
  c) Understand how the surface features are related to the deeper Earth structure
• Readings:
  a) About the Earth's interior
  b) The ocean basins
• Homework:
  a) Some properties of the solid Earth
  b) Isostasy Homework
• Resources:
  a) Tables of Earth Facts
  b) Exploring like a scientist: what is a "feature?"
• Inquiry activity:
  a) Explore the Earth's surface
  b) Explore the ocean basins

III. Discovering Plate Boundaries 1

• Goals:
  a) To understand the theory of Plate Tectonics and how plate motion influences the Earth's surface features.
  b) To explore and understand the data that supports the theory of Plate Tectonics.
• Readings:
  a) The theory of plate tectonics: an animated presentation
  b) Review and additional reading about plate boundaries
• Homework:
  a) Cutout activity: to help you visualize fracture zones
  b) Homework problems
• Resources:
  a) Maps for your activities (print this document)
  b) About the Solid Earth Map data
• Inquiry activity:
  a) Investigation: Plot the plate boundaries and identify boundary types
  b) Investigation: Plate Tectonics Now

IV. Discovering Plate Boundaries 2

• Goals:
  a) More in-depth exploration of the theory of plate tectonics
  b) Understand how to use data to determine plate boundary types and plate velocity
  c) To learn how to make a scientific argument and put it in writing.
• Readings:
  a) Review of plate tectonics theory
• Homework:
  a) Print the assignment sheet and hand it in to your instructor when completed
• Resources:
  a) Describing interesting features (review)
  b) Assessing a scientific argument
• Inquiry activities:
  a) Measuring speed of plate creation homework
  b) Plate boundary investigation: click the Next button for instructions

V. Volcanoes, Hot Spots and Plate Motion

• Goals:
  a) Understand the relationship between volcanoes, hots spots, and plate motion
  b) Be able to use Earth data to quantify and describe these relationships.
• Inquiry Activity: Please do this activity prior to your readings
  a) Volcano geography inquiry
• Readings:
  a) About Volcanoes - Part 1
  b) About Volcanoes - Part 2
  c) Reading about hot spots
• Homework:
  a) About Volcanoes Part 2: Homework
  b) Calculating plate motion homework
• Inquiry activity:
  a) Motion of Pacific Plate from Hawaiian Island chain ages