Development of the Theory of Plate Tectonics

Link: https://www.britannica.com/science/plate-tectonics/Development-of-tectonic-theory
(Stop at section titled, Disbelief and Opposition!)
1. Name Alfred Wegeners concept that led to the theory of plate tectonics.
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2. What was the name of the supercontinent that Wegner thinks existed?
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3. Explain the main roadblock Wegener encountered when presenting his hypothesis to the
scientific community at the time?
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4. Identify the evidence supporting the hypothesis of continental drift. (Hint: There should
be four things total.)

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Plate Tectonics
Link: http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/plates1.html

5. Explain the theory of plate tectonics.

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6. Identify the three tectonic plate boundary types on the map.
a. _________________________________________
b. _________________________________________
c. _________________________________________
7. The map on the site identifies the boundaries (your answers for #6) by the force
that is occurring at that plate boundary. Read the passage on the site until the end
of the page and then do the following:
Fill in your answers from # 6 below under Force occurring at Plate boundary.
Then choose which of your answers corresponds to the type of movement found at
each plate boundary type and the formal name given to the plate boundary.
Formal Name of Plate Boundary Movement at Plate Boundary Force occurring at Plate
(Convergent, Divergent, (plates crashing into each other, Boundary
Transform) plates pulling apart, plates (THESE ARE YOUR ANSWERS FROM
sideswiping or moving past each #6!)
other)
a.

b.

c.

8. Click on the Convergent Boundaries Divergent Boundaries and Transform Boundaries

pages and read the description given for each one. Then answer the following questions:
a. Assess the earthquake and volcanic hazards that are found at each boundary.
Which boundary experiences earthquakes? Volcanoes? Both?

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b. Which boundary do you propose is the most dangerous to humans and what can
we do to minimize the danger at this boundary or the others?

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c. Give a real-world geographical example of each boundary type.
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Link: http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/edu/learning/1_plate_tectonics/activities/aplates.html
If you click on the link above a map showing the Earth will appear. Click on the map of the Earth and
watch as the tectonic plates come into view. (Note: You must keep clicking so that all the plates
appear and are labeled. This is the end of the cycle.) After you have done this, answer the following
questions:
9. List the 7 total plates:
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10. What plate is the United States on?
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11. Examine the boundary of the North American Plate, is Hawaii within its
boundary? Is Alaska? If they arent, what plate(s) are they located on?
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12. Analyze the boundaries of the plates, the continents, and the oceans. Do they
line up?
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13. Examine the linear topographic feature between the African Plate and South
American Plate. What type of boundary do you think this is? Support your
reasoning.
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