Introduction

The following links come from all over the World Wide Web and represent a variety of aspects related to Plate Tectonics. You may complete the following Internet activities by working in a pair. You should complete all of the activities and write your responses on Mr. Baginski's answer sheet.

The purpose of this Web page is to give you a sampling of some of the aspects related to Plate Tectonics. Good luck and have fun!

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Activities

History-Wegener and his Plate Tectonic Theory

To learn about the history behind Plate Tectonics follow this link: http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/geology/techist.html

Activity: Go to the link above to answer the following questions, and record your responses on the answer sheet.

1. How did Wegener explain the formation of mountains?
2. What three mountain ranges did Wegener cite as evidence for this explanation?
3. What scientist worked on Wegener's theory, reviving it in the 1960's?

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Theory-Plate Tectonics

To learn about the theory behind Plate Tectonics follow this link: http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/geology/tecmech.html

Activity: Go to the link above to answer the following questions, and record your responses on the answer sheet.

1. List the four (4) main features of the Plate Tectonics Theory
2. Look at the graphic at the bottom of the page and read the paragraph accompanying it, then draw and label where new plates are born and old plates are recycled.

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To put the plates in motion and follow their movement go to: http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/geology/anim1.html (to see the animation again hit the "refresh" button on the toolbar above!)

Activity: Go to the link above and run the animation to answer the following question, and record your response on the answer sheet.

1. Pick one continent to track (Africa for example). Describe its movement in few sentences.

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To put the plates in motion and follow their movement go to: http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/geology/anim1.html (to see the animation again hit the "refresh" button on the toolbar above!)

Activity: Go to the link above and click on the Cenozoi, Mesozoic, or Paleozoic colored box to answer the following question, and record your response on the answer sheet.

1. Find a fact about the life forms that existed during one of these geologic time periods.

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Go to the following link: http://www.scotese.com/

Activity: Once on the page above, explore one of the links that looks interesting to you. Answer the following question, and record your response on the answer sheet.

1. What did it show or teach you? Write a summary of several sentences.

-hint: the animations here are REALLY COOL! ;-)

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Volcano World

To learn more about volcanoes visit this site: http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/vw.html

Activity: Once on the page above, explore one of the links that looks interesting to you. Answer the following question, and record your response on the answer sheet.

1. What did it show or teach you? Write a summary of several sentences.

-hint: some of these movies are HOT! ;-)

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Conclusion

If you finish early, please explore the following site further! http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/geology/tectonics.html