Plate Boundaries

Introduction

• Earth's outermost layer consists of semi-rigid plates actively moving like puzzle pieces.
• Zones between plates are sites of significant seismic activity.
• Understanding Earth's changing processes is essential for preparing for its effects.

Essential Questions

• What are plate boundaries?
• Types of plate boundaries?
• How do they move?
• Activities occurring in plate boundaries?
• Effects of plate movements on Earth's crust?

Review

• Lithosphere: Strong, rigid layer (upper mantle/crust).
• Asthenosphere: Weak, ductile region in mantle allowing lithospheric movement.
• Seven major tectonic plates: North America, South America, Pacific, African, Eurasian, Australian-Indian, and Antarctic.
• Intermediate plates: Caribbean, Nazca, Philippine, Arabian, Cocos, Scotia, Juan de Fuca.

Lesson 2.1: Divergent Plate Boundaries

Objectives

• Define and describe divergent plate boundaries.
• Identify examples of divergent boundaries.

Warm-Up Activity

• Conveyor Belt simulation with colored papers to illustrate plate movement.

Key Points

• Divergent Boundaries: Plates move away from each other, creating new ocean floors.
• Seafloor Spreading: Key process where oceanic crust is generated; discovered by Harry Hammond Hess.
• Notable examples: Mid-Atlantic Ridge, East Pacific Rise, East African Rift.

Lesson 2.2: Convergent Plate Boundaries

Objectives

• Define and describe convergent boundaries.
• Identify different types of convergent boundaries.

Key Points

• Convergent Boundaries: Plates move towards each other, often causing subduction.
• Arcs and Trenches: Formed due to plate subduction.
• Three types: Oceanic-Continental, Oceanic-Oceanic, Continental-Continental.
• Notable examples: Andes Mountains, Himalayan Range.

Lesson 2.3: Transform Plate Boundaries

Objectives

• Describe transform boundary movement and effects.
• Locate some transform boundaries on Earth.

Key Points

• Transform Boundaries: Plates slide past each other, causing earthquakes rather than volcanic activity.
• Example: San Andreas Fault.

Lesson 2.4: Processes and Landforms along Plate Boundaries

Objectives

• Understand land formation processes along plate boundaries.

Key Points

• Divergent Boundaries: Formation of continental rifts and oceanic ridges.
• Convergent Boundaries: Formation depends on involved plates; includes continental volcanic arcs, island arcs, and orogenic belts.
• Transform Boundaries: Associated with fault zones and earthquakes.

Laboratory and Performance Tasks

• Activities to demonstrate plate movements and their effects on landforms.
• Infographics creation to spread awareness about plate movements around the Philippines.

Self Check and Key Terms

• Self-assessment checklist for understanding plate boundaries.
• Key terms include: Arcs, Continental Rift, Convergent Boundary, Divergent Boundary, Fracture Zone, Mid-ocean Ridge, Seafloor Spreading, Subduction, Transform Boundary.

References

• Comprehensive list of resources and references for further reading on plate tectonics.