Dynamic Earth

DYNAMIC EARTH
• Recall the structure of interior of Earth
• Discuss evidence the continents were joined including: jigsaw fit, correlation of
fossils and rocks.
• Discuss evidence showing that plates move including: magnetic reversals, age
seafloor sediments, direct measurements
• ALARM question: Evaluate the evidence which supports the theory of plate tectonics.
Include in your evaluation the accepted evidence (magnetic reversals, age seafloor
sediments, direct measurements).
• Trace the movement of the Australian plate since its separation from Gondwanaland.

• Recognise plate boundaries as convergent, divergent and conservative (transform).

• Relate movements of plates to convection currents in the asthenosphere and
gravitational forces.
• Draw cross-sectional diagrams of subduction zones and mid-ocean ridges.
• Plot earthquake and volcanoes from data.
• Explain how volcanic and earthquake activity is related to motion of plates at
boundaries including: Himalayas, San Andreas fault, island arcs, rift valleys
• Explain how folds and faults are related to movements in the earth's crust.
• Identify and draw diagrams of normal and reverse faults, anticline, syncline and the
 Word List
Inner core, outer core, mantle, asthenosphere, crust, (discontinuity), convection
current, seismology, plate tectonics, continental drift, jigsaw fit, correlation of
fossils and rocks, magnetic reversals, age of seafloor sediments, direct
continental movement measurements, Gondwanaland, Pangea, Pacific ring of
fire, oceanic plate, continental plate, convergent boundary (oceanic-continental;
continental-continental; oceanic-oceanic), divergent boundary,
conservative/transform boundary, subduction zone, collision zone, mid-ocean
ridge, oceanic trench, continental shelf, (continental slope/rise), fold, fault,
anticline, syncline, normal fault, reverse fault, transform fault, fault (block)
mountain, rift valley, (compressional stress), (tensional stress), (shear stress),
(metamorphic, sedimentary, igneous rocks), (p- s- r- l- waves), (epicentre),
 Layers of the Earth
The Earth can be divided into 4 main layers (more if you
include the atmosphere etc):
Inner core – mostly solid iron, up to 7000oC and 1200km thick
Outer core – molten iron, 4000 – 6000oC, 2300km thick
Mantle – partially molten rock (mixture of different
chemicals), 500 - 2000oC, about 2900km thick. Contains
convection currents which hold up the mantle and cause
continental drift of the tectonic plates. The hot, semi-fluid
upper part is called the asthenosphere.
Crust – includes the lithosphere and hydrosphere. Is only 5km
(ocean) - 70km (mountains) thick. Is made up of tectonic
plates which are constantly being created and destroyed, and
move around
 Layers of the Earth
Layers of the Earth –
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9j1xGaxYzY

Deepest hole ever dug: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zz6v6OfoQvs

Why the earth has layers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwiiOjyfvAU

Planet earth: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGXi_9A__Vc

Watch first bit of Richard Hammond’s Journey to the centre of the Planet/Earth

How Earthquakes work –

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=-ONwp56pMBE&NR=1

Deepest ocean
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GE-lAftuQgc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwVNkfCov1k
Layers of the Earth
 Ext: Discontinuity layers
Since each “layer” has a different chemical composition and
therefore density, by studying earthquakes and their
patterns, we can determine the depths of each “layer”. This
is due to the refractive index of each layer (from waves
topic).
 Vids
Why hot underground: https://youtu.be/mOSpRzW2i_4
How to date the earth: https://youtu.be/YSau4HTNjkE
Where did earths water come from:
https://youtu.be/_LpgBvEPozk
The story of our planet: https://youtu.be/PRbVISZ3Gc4
 Seismology
The study of earthquakes and how compression waves (shocks)
travel through the Earth. It allows humans to give earthquake and
tsunami warnings, as well as testing for precious metals and fossil
fuels.

Scientists do not know exactly what the Earth looks like inside but
by looking at earthquakes, and producing & testing models they
have a very good guess. We know the density and relative depths
of each of the levels.
 Seismology
How Earthquakes work –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7ho6z32yyo

Seismograph:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gbd1FcuLJLQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaNw9LHq9dc Richter scale
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOCxNVDiOnE

Seismic analysis hydrocarbons:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9ghjrq5pV4&feature=related and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxJa7EvYoFI&feature=related
 Slide 9
Layers of the Earth
Q1. Name the layers of the earth and what they are
made of.
Q2. How do scientists know that the Earth is made of
layers?
EXT Q3. What are the “layers of discontinuity” and
how are these calculated?
 Seismograph
Day _____ Room ___ Period ___

Requisition:
String
Plastic cups x 10
Small masses x heaps
Textas x 10
Strips of A3 paper x heaps
 Slide 10
Prac: Building a Seismograph

Retort
stand
string

Plastic cup
with masses
Marker pen
Strip of paper
Seismograph
 Theory of plate tectonics
The Earth’s crust is made up of a number of moving “plates”
floating above the mantle. The theory of plate tectonics
describes these movements.
The boundaries of these plates are highly active geologically
with earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunami. The ‘ring of fire’
is the region that encircles the Pacific Ocean, where most of
the world’s active volcanoes are located.
Convection currents in the mantle move hot and cold
magma (molten rock) in a circular pattern which keep the
crust afloat and help the plates move.
 Theory of plate tectonics
The Earth’s crust is made up of a number of moving “plates”
floating above the mantle. The theory of plate tectonics describes
these movements.
The boundaries of these plates are highly active geologically with
earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunami. The ‘ring of fire’ is the region
that encircles the Pacific Ocean, where most of the world’s active
volcanos are located.
Convection currents in the mantle move hot and cold magma
(molten rock) in a circular pattern which keep the crust afloat and
help the plates move.
We know that the plates have moved because we can piece
together all the continents now back into one mega-continent with
matching fossil and rock features across continents. Scientists have
also studied the age of sea floor sediments, magnetic reversals in
sediments and direct measurements (all discussed later)
 Theory of plate tectonics
The Earth’s crust is made up of a number of moving “plates”
floating above the mantle. The theory of plate tectonics
describes these movements.
The boundaries of these plates are highly active geologically
with earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunami. The ‘ring of fire’
is the region that encircles the Pacific Ocean, where most of
the world’s active volcanos are located.
Convection currents in the mantle move hot and cold
magma (molten rock) in a circular pattern which keep the
crust afloat and cause the plates move.
We know that the plates have moved because we can piece
together all the continents now back into one mega-
continent with matching fossil and rock features across
continents. Scientists have also studied the age of sea floor
sediments, magnetic reversals in sediments and direct
measurements (all discussed later).
Evidence for plate tectonics
Jigsaw Fit – all the continents fit together like a jigsaw.
Fossil record & Rock records – can be mapped across continents.
Alfred Wegner was the first scientist to study plate tectonics.
 Plate tectonics etc
Plate tectonics MinuteEarth: https://youtu.be/kwfNGatxUJI

Plate tectonics & Volcano (short) –

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryrXAGY1dmE

Convection currents –
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kpoko_l34ZE&feature=related

Plate tectonics explanation – (detailed)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmC-vjQGSNM&feature=related

Movements / Evolution of the Earth (& future) –

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=uGcDed4xVD4&NR
=1

and:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfsFNA-OKuE&feature=fvwrel

How Earthquakes work –

Evidence for plate tectonics & continental drift
It was Alfred Wegner back in 1910 that first theorised that the
continents are all moving and have moved apart or together over
millennia.

Evidence for continental drift:

• Fossil and rock formations over separate continents (like a puzzle)
• Magnetic reversals in the ocean layers
• Age of sea floor segments
• Direct measurements

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1-cES1Ekto wegner song

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRqjo-N_TDU wegner docco
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KB7HzF2O3Kg How we know plates are real
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-vNSqUy0l4 plates and plate boundaries (pop-up)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELd3ebldSTs plate tectonics (make me genius)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igGsuDYxhEA magnetic field reversals
 Convection Currents
Day _____ Room ___ Period ___

Requisition:
Potassium permanganate crystals in a specimen jar (to
make it easier for me)
Tweezers
Straws x 8
Matches
 Convection Currents
Aim: To observe convection currents in water using Potassium
Permanganate crystals.
Setup:

Results:
1. Draw a picture of what you saw.
2. Were you able to see a convection current?
3. What was the potassium permanganate used for?
4. What happened to the water if you left it running? Why?
 Convection Currents
Results:
1. Draw a picture of what you saw.
2. Were you able to see a convection current? YES
3. What was the potassium permanganate used for? So that
we were able to see the convection currents.
4. What happened to the water if you left it running? Why?
The water turned purple because it kept circling (more
convection currents).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mUU69ParFM
Convection currents prac at home
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8mCn8f3za0
 Slide 18
Convection Currents
Aim: To observe convection currents in water using Potassium
Permanganate crystals.
Setup:

Results:
1. Draw a picture of what you saw.
2. Were you able to see a convection current?
3. What was the potassium permanganate used for?
4. What happened to the water if you left it running? Why?
 Slide 19
Plate Tectonics
Q1. What is meant by the “theory of plate tectonics”?
Q2. What causes these “plate tectonics”? Explain in detail.
Q3. Name the 6 pieces of evidence for plate tectonics:
Q4. What is the “ring of fire”?
Q5. Who was the first person to suggest the theory of “plate
tectonics”?
EXT Q6. Why is it a theory and not law?
 Plate types
Continental plates – lighter and less dense than oceanic plates thus
“float” higher. Contain major land masses (continents). Made of
granite which is lighter.
Oceanic plates – thinner but more dense than continental plates thus
“sink” more, with water on top. Made of basalt rock which is denser.

Plate Boundaries
Convergent boundaries – where plates converge (move toward each
other). Causes earthquakes, mountains and volcanos to be formed.
Divergent boundaries – where plates diverge (move apart). New crust
is formed and creates mid-ocean ridges.
Conservative (transform) boundaries – where plates slide/move past
each other. Causes major earthquakes.
 Plate Boundaries
Convergent boundaries – where plates converge (move
toward each other). Causes earthquakes, mountains and
volcanos to be formed.
Divergent boundaries – where plates diverge (move apart).
New crust is formed and creates mid-ocean ridges.
Conservative (transform) boundaries – where plates
slide/move past each other. Causes major earthquakes.
Convergent Boundaries
Oceanic-continental convergence
-Oceanic plates are denser so slip underneath
continental plates (which are less dense so “float”
over the oceanic plate)
-where they meet is called the “subduction zone”

Continental-continental convergence
-two plates collide and are forced upward into
mountains (since they are both “less dense” plates)

Oceanic-oceanic convergence
-both plates are dense so subduct or are forced
downward.
Divergent Boundaries
Divergent Boundaries
Transform Boundaries
Boundaries
 Modelling Boundaries
Day _____ Room ___ Period ___

Requisition:
Crackers / sayos
Shaving foam or Whipped cream in can
Food colouring
Plastic plates x 8
 Slide 28
Modelling Boundaries
 Modelling Boundaries
Place some whipped cream onto your plate then two crackers on top of
this.
1. Push the two crackers together (convergent boundary) and observe
what happens.
2. Pull the two plates away from each other (divergent) and observe.
3. Push the two plates past each other (transform boundary).
Draw your results below:
 Slide 29
Prac: Modelling Boundaries
• Place some whipped cream onto your plate then two crackers on top of this.
1. Push the two crackers together (convergent boundary) and observe what happens.
2. Pull the two plates away from each other (divergent) and observe.
3. Push the two plates past each other (transform boundary).

Q1. Describe what occurred during each of the

“boundaries”.
 Modelling Boundaries
Plate tectonics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RA2-Vc4PIOY

Boundaries with biscuits:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tA1ezBHnz7U
 Video
Clickview: Tectonics – Processes and Landforms
(about Iceland and moving plates. Questions as
well on clickview teacher files).
page 12 of the doc. For questions.

Video: Richard Hammond’s Journey to the

centre of the planet first ep.
 Slide 30
Tectonics: Processes & Landforms
Part 1 Introduction
1. What is meant by the phrase ‘an inferno rages beneath our feet’ in this programme?
2. What’s the difference between magma and lava?
3. Why can Geoff only stay so close to the volcano for 1-2 minutes?
4. Why are volcanoes, earthquakes and tsunami commonly found together?
5. Why can we only make ‘educated guesses about the forces that shape our world’?

Part 2 Plate tectonics

6. How come plate tectonics is just a ‘best guess theory’ about how the earth behaves?
7. Why are seismographs so important to understanding the earth?
8. What’s the difference between a seismologist, a volcanologist, and a geologist?
9. How have seismologists helped to develop the theory of plate tectonics?
10. Why do we think the earth’s core is a ‘super-heated solid ball of iron and nickel’? How come we don’t know
for sure?
11. What’s the difference between the earth’s inner core, outer core and the mantle?
12. What are the differences between continental and oceanic crust?
13. What’s the difference between the crust, mantle and lithosphere?
14. Why are convection currents important in understanding how and why plates form?
15. Why is GPS technology important in developing an understanding of plate tectonics?
16. What has GPS technology shown that Iceland is on a constructive plate margin?
17. Why is the Pacific region known as the ‘ring of fire’?
18. What’s the difference between constructive, destructive and conservative margins?
19. Why are scientists still disagreeing about whether the mantle and asthenosphere is liquid, plastic, putty-like
 Slide 31
Tectonics: Processes & Landforms
Part 3 History of plate tectonic theory
1. What’s the difference between plate tectonic theory and the theory of continental drift?
2. Why was Wegener’s idea of continental ‘fit’ important? How did he know he might be right?
3. What was ‘Pangaea’? Why was the theory of Pangaea important?
4. Why did Wegener not know he was right?
5. How and why were submarines in World War 2 important in taking our knowledge of the earth’s plates forward?
6. Why was the idea of ‘sea floor spreading’ so important? How did it lead to the theory of plate tectonics?
7. What problem did Hawaii pose for those who thought plate tectonics was the explanation about how the earth had
developed?
8. What’s the difference between a ‘hotspot’ and a ‘plate boundary’?
9. What’s the difference between lava found at a constructive and destructive margins?
10. How and why do volcanoes differ at constructive and destructive margins?

Part 4 Constructive plate margins

• What’s a ‘composite volcano’ and why is it so-called?
• Why do volcanoes have different layers of different material?
• What’s the difference between a volcano and a caldera?
• Why are constructive plate margins also known as ‘divergent margins’?
• Why does Iceland have as many as 30 different volcanic systems?
• How and why does lava vary?
• What’s different about a ‘fissure eruption’? Why are they safer for people to watch than most volcanic eruptions?
• What’s the difference between a lava tube and a lava field?
• What’s the difference between a geyser and a fumarole?
• Why do many volcanic features have a limited life?
• What’s a ‘rift valley’?
• Why do volcanic eruptions become extremely hazardous where glaciers and ice are concerned?
• Why did Eyjafjallajökull’s eruption in 2010 have great impacts at long distances away from Iceland? Why were many people
inconvenienced?
 Slide 32
Tectonics: Processes & Landforms
Part 5 Destructive plate margins
• Explain why there are volcanoes and earthquakes on Montserrat.
• Explain how lava on Montserrat is different from that on Iceland.
• How and why are Montserrat’s volcanic eruptions different from those on Iceland?
• Why do volcanic eruptions along destructive margins occur much less frequently than those on constructive
margins?
• Why is the volcano on Montserrat ‘incandescent’?
• Why are volcanic domes found on Montserrat rather than volcanic shields?
• Why does the volcano on Montserrat seem to have long periods of inactivity?
• What’s so dangerous about pyroclastic flows?
• Explain the difference between ash fall, pyroclastic flow and tephra.
• What’s a composite volcano?
• Explain why ocean trenches are associated with destructive plate margins.
• How can plate margins produce the world’s biggest mountain ranges?
• What’s the difference between a ‘collision margin’ and a ‘destructive margin’?
• What do Fold Mountains have to do with plate margins?
• Why do earthquakes in locations such as Christchurch often occur very many times?

Part 6 Conservative plate margins

• What made the Haiti earthquake in January 2010 ‘the biggest urban disaster ever’?
• What were the reasons that so many people were a) killed, b) made homeless on Haiti?
• Why is it as important to assess vulnerability to an earthquake as it is to know how big it is on the Richter
Scale?
• What makes the population of Haiti so vulnerable to earthquakes?
 Websites
Interactives: Dynamic Earth. Intro + layers + boundaries/movements
http://www.learner.org/interactives/dynamicearth/index.html

Earth & Environmental Science sites & activities:

http://ees.as.uky.edu/educational-materials

(Yr11/12 EES units of work)

https://portalsrvs.det.nsw.edu.au/Web/EES_06/
 Ocean Topography
Scientists have only in the last 30 years gained a good
understanding of the ocean floor. The study of the shape and
features of an area is known as topography.
All oceans have shallow places and deep places with the
occasional island on top of an undersea mountain. The shallow
places are around the continents and ocean ridges. These areas
are built up from sediments from rivers and creeks. The oceans
get deeper as we move off the continental slope and continental
rise.
The deep ocean basin floor makes up 70% of the ocean floor
and 50% of the Earth’s surface. Most of this area is extremely
flat and is called the abyssal plain. The mid-ocean ridges,
mountain chains up to 1000 kilometres wide, have only been
discovered in the last 50 years. Ocean trenches also occur in this
Cross-section of Ocean
Ocean Topography

Convection
currents
 Ocean Topography Slide 36

Q1. Match the following features with the labels in the diagram:
Continental shelf =
Pacific or volcanic island =
Mid-ocean ridge =
Trench =
Continental slope =
Continental rise =
Abyssal plain =
 Ocean Topography

Q1. Match the following features with the labels in the diagram:
Continental shelf = G
Pacific or volcanic island = D
Mid-ocean ridge = C
Trench = A
Continental slope = F
Continental rise = E
Abyssal plain = B
 Plate Zones
Subduction zones – where an oceanic plate collides with a
continental plate. The heavier/denser oceanic plate
submerges (goes down) underneath the continental plate and
is ‘melted’ back into the mantle. The continental plate is
forced upward into a mountain (e.g. Himalayas)
Collision zones – where two continental plates collide, both
are forced upwards into a mountain (e.g. French Alps).
Mid-ocean ridges – the centre of divergent boundaries, where
new crust is forced upward through the mantle and form a
small underwater mountain range.
Subduction zone
Subduction zone
Q1. Match the following features
with the labels in the diagram:

Continental crust/plate =
Oceanic crust/plate =
Trench =
Mountain range =
Subduction zone =
Volcano =

Q2. Is this diagram showing a

converging, diverging or transform
boundary? Explain your answer.
Subduction zone
Q1. Match the following features
with the labels in the diagram:

Continental crust/plate = C
Oceanic crust/plate = A
Trench = F
Mountain range = E
Subduction zone = B
Volcano = D

Q2. Is this diagram showing a

converging, diverging or transform
boundary? Explain your answer.
 Subduction zone
E
F
D
A
B C
 Slide 43
Plate Zones & Topography
Q1. What percentage of the earth’s surface is made up of
ocean floor?
Q2. It is said that the surface of the moon has been studied
more than the ocean floor. Why is this?
Q3. Describe the following words: Deep ocean trench, Abyssal
plane, mid-ocean ridge, pacific island, continental rise,
continental slope, continental shelf.
Q4. What occurs at a:
a) Subduction zone
b) Collision zone
Q5. What is the difference between a constructive,
destructive and conservative (transform) plate boundary?
 Continental Drift
By studying plate movements, as well as the geology of
different continents, scientists have been able to make
models of the Earth back over 250 million years (and may
even predict future movements). The apparent movement of
the continents is called continental drift.
Evidence for continental drift include:
• Ability to fit present-day continents together like a jigsaw
• Matching rock features and fossil patterns across present-
day continents
Pangaea – 250ma when the Earth was a
single continent
Laurasia (north) & Gondwana land (south) –
Pangaea split into these two massive land
masses
 Continental Drift
Pangaea – 250ma when the Earth was a single continent
Laurasia (north) & Gondwana land (south) – Pangaea split into
these two massive land masses

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=uGcDed4xVD4&NR=1
and:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfsFNA-OKuE&feature=fvwrel
Evidence for plate tectonics & continental drift
It was Alfred Wegner back in 1910 that first theorised that the
continents are all moving and have moved apart or together over
millennia.

Evidence for continental drift:

• Fossil and rock formations over separate continents (like a puzzle)
• Magnetic reversals in the ocean layers
• Age of sea floor segments
• Direct measurements

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1-cES1Ekto wegner song

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRqjo-N_TDU wegner docco
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KB7HzF2O3Kg How we know plates are real
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-vNSqUy0l4 plates and plate boundaries (pop-up)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELd3ebldSTs plate tectonics (make me genius)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igGsuDYxhEA magnetic field reversals
 Evidence for Continental Drift
“Discuss evidence the continents were joined including: jigsaw fit, correlation of fossils and rocks”

Jigsaw fit
The modern-day continents fit together like a jigsaw-puzzle to make
one “supercontinent”. This suggests that they were once together and
have since moved apart.

Correlation of fossils and rocks

If we place the continents together in a jigsaw fit, there are fossil and
rock/mineral deposits and ancient mountain ranges that span across
multiple continents that are no longer touching. This can only happen
if the continents were once all together.
 Evidence for Plate tectonics
“Discuss evidence showing that plates move including: magnetic reversals, age seafloor sediments, direct measurements”

Magnetic reversals
The Earth’s magnetic field reverses (or flips) every few thousand years.
The direction of these magnetic fields is stored in sediments on the sea-floor and are
arranged in magnetic “bands” that run parallel to mid-ocean ridges. This indicates
that the seafloor is spreading and causing the earth’s plates to move.

Age of seafloor sediments

Direct measurements of the age of the sea floor shows that as you move away from
mid-ocean ridges, sediments in the sea floor get older. This also suggests that new
crust is being formed at the mid-ocean ridges and pushing plates away.

Direct measurements
Measurements from GPS satellites in space can measure the precise location of
continents on the globe and have been able to calculate the rate/speed at which
they move as well as direction of movement of each continent/plate.
Jigsaw fit & fossil correlation

Magnetic reversals in sea floor

Age of sea floor

Direct measurements of plate movements via
GPS satellites
 Slide 51
Continental Drift
Q1. What is continental drift?
Q2. What causes continental drift?
Q3. Name the pieces of evidence for continental drift (they
are the same as for plate tectonics).
Q4. What is: Pangaea, Laurasia and Gondwanaland?
 Slide 52
ALARM
Evaluate the evidence which supports the theory of plate
tectonics. Include in your evaluation the accepted
evidence (magnetic reversals, age seafloor sediments,
direct measurements).
COMPLETE ON GOOGLE CLASSROOM

http://www.smashthehsc.com/whats-an-alarm
-matrix.html
 Birth of Earth
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4r58o4cSh0
(& Life beyond Earth vid)
Geologic time scale
A scale used for explaining events of Earth’s history. Used by geologists,
palaeontologist (fossil scientists) and other Earth scientists.
Fold mountain – bending

Fault mountain – broken

plates move

Volcanic mountain –
volcano causes a mountain

Two plates push into each

other and bend
 Strata

Fault/block mountain –
plates are pushed but have
faults (broken bits) which
move up or down

If a fault is pushed down into

a valley

6. Volcanos cause molten rock to

explodes up through the earth
and push up into a mountain
 Mountains Worksheet Slide 56

1. a) b) c)
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

9. A. B.
C. D.
 Mountains Worksheet Slide 56

1. a) fold b) fault/block c) volcano

2. Pressure from both sides (plate tectonics) forces plate to
warp/ fold
3. Strata
4. Pressure from both sides, causes blocks to be pushed up
due to faults or weaknesses in the strata.
5. The valley caused by block mountains.
6. Pressure builds up under the surface and is released up
onto the surface, forming a volcano.
7.

9. A. The French Alps B. The Hymalayas

C. The Rockies D. The Andes
 Folds and faults
Fold mountain – when strata (layers in the Earth’s crust) are
bent or folded from pressure on both sides.
Anticline – “up fold” Syncline – “down fold”

Fault (block) mountains – caused from weaknesses (faults) in

the strata making sections of the crust to be pushed up (block
mountain) or down (rift valley).
Folds and faults
 Faults and stresses
Different forces (or “stresses”) applied to the earth’s surface cause
different types of faults to occur.
Folds and faults
 Folds and faults
Fault & fold information
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-eZrMpNb0U

Fault & fold models

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEumMkAhwzA
 PRAC: Folds and faults
DORRINGTON DAY _____ PERIOD _____ ROOM ____

Sand
Flour
Icecream buckets or similar x 8
Lids or similar x 8

(see images below)

Prac: Folds and faults
Prac: Folds and faults
 Mountains Research Slide 62

1. Name three ways mountains are formed:

2. What occurs to cause the formation of fold mountains?
3. What is the name given to rock layers?
4. Explain how block mountains are formed
5. Find a pic of a normal & reverse fault
6. Define the terms anticline & syncline in terms of fold
mountains
7. What is a rift valley?
8. Explain the formation of volcanic mountains
9. Find a pic of: fold, block & volcanic mountains
10. Find pic of major mountain systems/ranges of world
11. Find pic of: The Appalachians (fold mountain); The Sierra
Nevada (block mountains); Mt. Fujiyama (volcanic
 The Ring of Fire
The ring of fire is the region surrounding the Pacific Plate
(Pacific Ocean) where 90% of the Earth’s earthquakes and
75% of the volcanoes are found. This is due to the collision of
plates surrounding this area, causing seismic activity.
 The Ring of Fire
The ring of fire is the region surrounding the Pacific Plate
(Pacific Ocean) where 90% of the Earth’s earthquakes and
75% of the volcanoes are found. This is due to the collision of
plates surrounding this area, causing seismic activity.
 Slide 65
The Ring of Fire worksheet
Complete the ring of fire worksheet and answer the following questions.

1. How are earthquakes distributed on the map? Are they scattered evenly
or concentrated in zones?

2. How are volcanoes distributed on the map? Are they scattered evenly or
concentrated in zones?

3. From your data, what can you infer about the relationship between
earthquakes and volcanoes?

4. Suppose you added the locations of additional earthquakes and

volcanoes to your map: Would the overall pattern of earthquake and
volcanoes change? Explain in writing why you think the pattern would or
wouldn’t change?
 Slide 65
The Ring of Fire worksheet
Complete the ring of fire worksheet and answer the following questions.

1. How are earthquakes distributed on the map? Are they scattered evenly
or concentrated in zones?
They have a pattern. They follow the plate boundaries.
2. How are volcanoes distributed on the map? Are they scattered evenly or
concentrated in zones?
Not really. Are scattered around.
3. From your data, what can you infer about the relationship between
earthquakes and volcanoes?
Earthquakes and volcanoes are found in similar areas.
4. Suppose you added the locations of additional earthquakes and
volcanoes to your map: Would the overall pattern of earthquake and
volcanoes change? Explain in writing why you think the pattern would or
wouldn’t change?
 Prac: Modelling fold mountains
Aim: to model the formation of fold mountains using sponges
Method: lay

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4r58o4cSh0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYHe5wQeA28
How the earth was made

Thin blue line docco:

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/xyqi08_wonders-of-t
he-solar-system-the-thin-blue-line_shortfilms

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1jk1g9_bbc-wonder
s-of-the-solar-system-3of5-the-thin-blue-line-pdtv-xvid_tec
h

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xobnag_wonders-of-th
e-solar-system-the-thin-blue-line_tech
 Ext: Rock Types
There are 3 main types of rock:
Sedimentary rocks – soil laid down from river, lake or sea
beds that compress and turn into rocks. E.g. Sandstone,
limestone, shale

Metamorphic rocks – rocks that change or “morph” due to

pressure or chemicals. E.g. marble, quartzite, slate

Igneous rocks - are rocks that have formed from cooling

magma from beneath the Earth’s crust. Extrusive rocks cool
above the surface. Intrusive rocks cool below the surface.
E.g. Bassalt, granite, pumice, obsidian
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxoSUgIgQF0
 PRAC: Rock Types
DORRINGTON DAY _____ ROOM _____ PERIOD ____

Samples of different rock types

SHALE to heat break

Matches x 8
 PRAC: Honeycomb
DORRINGTON DAY _____ ROOM _____ PERIOD ____

xxxxx
 Hot rocks
Igneous rocks are rocks that have formed from cooling
magma from beneath the Earth’s crust. Examples:
Basalt – dark rock from
volcanic lava cooled
quickly on ground.

Granite – white, pink or

grey rock with bits of
black & glass.

Pumice – pale, very

light and “holey” rocks.
Formed when lava
erupts into air and cool.
Granite – white, pink or grey rock with bits of black & glass.

Pumice – pale, very light and “holey” rocks. Formed when lava
erupts into air and cool

The two other main types of rocks are:

Sedimentary rocks – soil laid down from river, lake or sea
beds that compress and turn into rocks.
Metamorphic rocks – rocks that change or “morph” due to
pressure or chemicals.

Igneous rocks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbQla7cdJrY
Igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic rocks (makemegenius)
 Slide 71
EXT: Rock Types
Q1. Explain the difference between Sedimentary, Igneous and
Metamorphic rocks.
Q2. Give 3 examples for each type of rock. Include a picture
for each.
 Ext: Seismic Waves
Seismology is the study of earthquakes or seismic waves.
There are 4 main types of seismic waves:
P-wave = “push and pull” wave
S-wave = shear or “up and down” wave
R-wave = Rayleigh or “circular” wave
L-wave = Love or “side to side horizontally” wave

Each wave propagates (moves) through the crust at different

velocities/speeds. Calculating the time between each wave
type allows scientists to calculate the epicentre or origin of
the earthquake.
 EXT: Seismic Waves
Seismology is the study of earthquakes or seismic waves.
There are 4 types of waves: P S R L waves.
Earthquakes occur due to the movement of plates.

Each wave moves through the crust at different speeds.

Calculating the time between each wave type allows
scientists to calculate the epicentre or origin of the
earthquake.
Ext: Seismic Waves
 Ext: Earthquake Damage

It is not often the initial P-wave that causes the damage from earthquakes, since it only
moves up and down.
P waves “loosen” the buildings etc but it is the S R and L waves that come after that often
do the most damage since they move at different angles or circles, which buildings are not
made for.
New building technologies in earthquake prone areas such as New Zealand and Japan have
lead to “earthquake-resistant” buildings.

https://courses.lumenlearning.com/geo/chapter/reading-body-waves/ diagrams of waves

https://www.sciencelear
n.org.nz/resources/331-
seismic-engineering
Seismic Engineering
and how to prevent
earthquake damage.
 Ext: Calculating Epicentres
Calculating the time between each wave type allows
scientists to calculate the epicentre or origin of the
earthquake.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBS7BKqHRhs
Step 2 – repeat for multiple locations
 Slide 81
EXT: Seismic Waves
Q1. What is a “seismic wave”?
Q2. Name the 4 types of seismic waves.
Q3. Why is it important to time the differences between
seismic waves?
Q4. What is an epicentre?
Q5. Which seismic waves are most dangerous?
Q6. How have scientists (engineers) made earthquake-proof
buildings?
 Slide 82
Ext: Calculating Epicentres
Use the worksheet to calculate the epicentre.

“epicentre calculation worksheet”

 Slide 83
DYNAMIC EARTH
• Recall the structure of interior of Earth
• Discuss evidence the continents were joined including: jigsaw fit, correlation of
fossils and rocks.
• Discuss evidence showing that plates move including: magnetic reversals, age
seafloor sediments, direct measurements
• ALARM question: Evaluate the evidence which supports the theory of plate tectonics.
Include in your evaluation the accepted evidence (magnetic reversals, age seafloor
sediments, direct measurements).
• Trace the movement of the Australian plate since its separation from Gondwanaland.

• Recognise plate boundaries as convergent, divergent and conservative (transform).

• Relate movements of plates to convection currents in the asthenosphere and
gravitational forces.
• Draw cross-sectional diagrams of subduction zones and mid-ocean ridges.
• Plot earthquake and volcanoes from data.
• Explain how volcanic and earthquake activity is related to motion of plates at
boundaries including: Himalayas, San Andreas fault, island arcs, rift valleys
• Explain how folds and faults are related to movements in the earth's crust.
• Identify and draw diagrams of normal and reverse faults, anticline, syncline and the