Name: Richard Cartagena

PT 6.3: Plate Tectonics

_______________________________________

Learning Target
HS-ESS1-5 I can evaluate evidence of the past and current movements of continental and
oceanic crust and the theory of plate tectonics to explain the ages of crustal rocks.

Guiding Questions
What biological and geological evidence supports the theory of plate
tectonics?

Background
Plate tectonic theory had its beginnings in 1915 when Alfred Wegener proposed
that continents gradually move on the surface of Earth. He noticed that since the
continents fit together like a jigsaw puzzle, they must’ve been one large landmass
that broke apart which led him to come up with his theory of "continental drift."

Paleontologists also found that there were fossils of similar species found on
continents that are now separated by great geographic distance. Paleoclimate
studies, which examines the climate in Earth's past, revealed that glaciers
covered large areas of the world which also are now separated by great
geographic distances. These observations seemed to indicate that the Earth's
lithosphere has been moving over time.
Task 1 - Evidence
DIRECTIONS (To be done in class, on paper):
1. Label the land masses: South America, Africa, Australia, India, & Antarctica.
2. Color the fossil areas to match the key below.
3. Cut out each of the continents along the edge of the continental shelf (the outermost
dark line).
4. Try to piece the continents together so that they form a giant supercontinent.
5. Once you are satisfied with the 'fits' of the continents, paste your supercontinent on the
next page.

**Complete TASK 1 on paper and turn into your teacher.**

Teacher signature: COREY
Task 2 - Analyzing Data
DIRECTIONS: complete the chart below based on the information you learned
about the 3 types of plate boundaries.

Direction of Movement Type and description of Effects

Plate Boundary
Where new crust is created
as the plates collide with one
another.
Can cause earthquakes,
volcanic eruptions, formation
of mountains, and create new
islands.

Where new crust is created Can cause earthquakes,

as the plates pull away from volcanoes, formation of
each other. ocean trenches or ridges, and
formation of valleys.

Crust is neither produced Can cause earthquakes and

nor destroyed as the plates deformation of crusts due to
slide horizontally past each friction. Also creates faults,
other. which are large breaks in the
crust.

Task 3 - Reflection Questions

1. What is Pangea?
Pangea, which means “all lands” in Greek, is a large landmass that was formed during
the Triassic and Jurassic eras.

2. How have the continents on Earth changed over time?

Pangaea existed around 240 million a long time back. By around 200 million a long
time prior, this supercontinent started breaking up. Over millions of years, Pangaea
isolated into pieces that moved absent from one another.

3. In your own words, what are tectonic plates?

The Earth's surface is broken into pieces called tectonic plates. Tectonic plates
gradually move, making mountains, islands and rearranging landmasses. Researchers
can track the history of the plate developments by analyzing fossils and shaking layers.
4. Do you think the tectonic plates are still moving today? What do you think could cause
the tectonic plates to move?
The plates are continuously moving. The landmasses are still moving nowadays. A few
of the energetic destinations of structural movement are seafloor spreading zones and
mammoth crack valleys.

5. Imagine that you are Alfred Wegener, trying to support your hypothesis that the
continents were once joined together. What biological and geological evidence would
you present to prove that your hypothesis was correct?
Biological Evidence: Fossil Evidence: The presence of similar plant and animal
fossils on different continents, such as the discovery of
mesosaurus, a freshwater reptile, in South America and Africa,
suggests that these continents were once connected.

Geological Evidence: Matching Rock Formations: The discovery of matching rock

formations on different continents, such as the Appalachian
Mountains in North America and Scotland, provides evidence
that these continents were once connected and have since
drifted apart.

6. Write 2-3 paragraphs on the following topic: How did continental drift impact the
evolution of animals and plants living on Earth at the time? Explain.
Continental drift, a theory first proposed by Alfred Wegener, explains how the
continents have moved and shifted over time due to plate tectonics. Plate tectonics is
the movement of the Earth's crustal plates, which are made up of the Earth's solid
outer layer. The mantle, which lies beneath the crust, is partially molten and is the
driving force behind plate tectonics. Plate tectonics is responsible for the formation of
three types of plate boundaries: divergent, convergent, and transform. The impact of
continental drift on the evolution of animals and plants on Earth was significant. For
example, when Pangea, the supercontinent that existed over 200 million years ago,
broke apart, the movement of the continents created new environments and habitats
for animals and plants. This separation allowed for the evolution of unique species in
different regions of the world. Additionally, divergent plate boundaries, where two
plates move away from each other, led to the creation of new landmasses and the
widening of oceanic trenches, which helped in the diversification of marine life. On
the other hand, convergent plate boundaries, where two plates move towards each
other, led to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, which created changes in the
environment and challenged the survival of living species. Overall, the movement of
the Earth's plates through plate tectonics and continental drift has greatly influenced
the evolution of life on Earth.

1. https://nature.si.edu/earth/continental-drift
2. https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/continental-drift/
 MASTERY RUBRIC AND COMPLETION CHECKLIST
Learning Target
(HS-ESS1-5) I can evaluate evidence of the past and current movements of continental and
oceanic crust and the theory of plate tectonics to explain the ages of crustal rocks.

Guiding Question
What biological and geological evidence supports the theory of plate tectonics?

1 Concerns (2) Goal Achieved (3) Exceeded Mastery (4)

(Similar to a C) (Similar to a B or B+) (Similar to an A or A+)

A score of 2 means you 1) Topic and Content
did everything you My argument has a
knowledgeable and
were supposed to but
your answer may have thoughtful response to the
used some vocabulary learning target(s) and guiding
incorrectly or your use question(s).
of evidence was unclear
2) Use of Evidence and
or missing some
Analysis
important details.
My argument is supported by
information from the
provided class resources
and class activities.
❏ Answered the challenge question?
❏ Real-world examples or
applications used not from the
class activity.
❏ Supported my argument with
information that was not
provided in class and cited
correctly.
❏ Used all score 4 vocabulary.
You need at least 3 boxes
checked from the above boxes to
have a chance at earning a
grade of 4 if you got a 3 on
everything else.

IMPORTANT! Any information used that is NOT learned from class MUST be cited or you will have to
redo the assignment! You must use YOUR OWN WORDS.
Required Vocabulary: If you do not use ALL of the Score 2 words you will get NO CREDIT.

Score 2 Words Score 3 Words Score 4 Words

● Plate tectonics ● Plate tectonics
● Pangea ● Pangea
● Plate boundary ● Divergent plate boundary
● Convergent plate boundary
● Transform plate boundary
● Alfred Wegener
● Continental Drift
● Plate tectonics
● Pangea
● Divergent plate boundary
● Convergent plate boundary
●
● Transform plate boundary
● Alfred Wegener
● Continental Drift
● Crust
● Mantle
● Earthquakes
● Volcanic Eruptions
● Ocean trench