The Theory of Plate Tectonics Worksheet: Activity No.1

Name: ___PIMPING, SITTIE SADECA A.
and ABAGON, IRIZ______ Date: ______________________ Class: ___G-10

PURITY__
The Theory of Plate Tectonics Worksheet
Activity no.1
Objective: Gather evidence to explain the theory of plate tectonics.
Materials: Work in pairs sharing one computer with Internet access.
Engage:
1. What continent do you live on? Can you think of any ways the
continent has changed over time?
- I live in Asia. Continental drift describes one of the earliest ways

geologists thought continents moved over time. Today, the theory
of continental drift has been replaced by the science of plate
tectonics.
Explore: Navigate to the Earthquakes Living Lab at

http://www.teachengineering.org/livinglabs/earthquakes/.
Notice the four main components of the Earthquakes Living

Lab.
2. Select the second option, the “Southern California” box. >

click the third link on the right side of the page titled,
“How have the Earth’s continents changed over time?” at
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/geology/anim1.html.
3. Compare the map of the world today (such as the real-time earthquake map) to a map of the
world 250 million years ago (called Pangaea). Use the interactive continental drift map to watch
the change in the Earth’s landforms over millions of years.
- In the early 1900s a scientist named Alfred Wegener noticed that the coastlines of several
continents looked like they fit together similar to puzzle pieces. He believed that around 200
million years ago, all of the continents were joined together in one large supercontinent that
he called Pangaea. Over the course of millions of years Pangaea broke apart into the
continents we know today. A process he called continental drift.
 As you watch the animation, record at least three examples of how the continents have changed
their positions over time.
- Pangaea cracked into a northernmost and southernmost supercontinent. The northern landmass,
Laurasia, would drift north and gradually split into Europe, Asia and North America.
-
 If the plates continue to move in this pattern, draw a sketch of what the world might look like
250 million years in the future.
4. Explain: Navigate back to the Earthquakes Living Lab main page and click on the second and
fourth links titled, “What is the Theory of Plate Tectonics? What evidence supports the Theory
of Plate Tectonics?” and “General information on plate tectonics, including images, animations
and explanations.” Explore more about the theory. Read the background information and answer
the following questions
5. What might have caused the continents to move? (Hint: What is the name of this theory?)
- The causes of continental drift are perfectly explained by the Plate Tectonic Theory. The earth's
outer shell is composed of plates that move a little bit every year. Heat coming from the interior of
the earth triggers this movement to occur through convection currents inside the mantle.
6. Describe some important information related to this theory.
- The movement of Earth’s Tectonic Plates shape the planet's surface. Plate boundaries are
important because they are often associated with earthquakes and volcanoes. When Earth's Tectonic
Plates grind past one another, enormous amounts of energy can be released in the form of
earthquakes. Plate Tectonics explains why and where earthquakes occur. This makes it possible to
make predictions about earthquakes. This explains why and where mountains are formed. This
makes Plate Tectonics important to the study of geology.
7. Elaborate: Find and record evidence used to explain how continents have moved over time.
Explore the following links to identify explanations and examples of evidence. You may also use
any of the other links located on the Earthquakes Living Lab page. Use a graphic organizer (such
as the chart below) to record your ideas.
 Seafloor spreading and earthquakes: http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/dynamic/developing.html

 Fossils: https://education.seattlepi.com/list-describe-evidence-plate-tectonics-theory-5600.html
 Volcanoes: http://www.divediscover.whoi.edu/hottopics/seamounts.html
Category Evidence, examples and explanations

Sea floor spreading
Fossils
Earthquakes
Volcanoes
8. Looking at the information you compiled in your chart above, explain one way the theory of
plate tectonics can relate to engineering.
9. Evaluate: In the early 1900s Alfred Wegener proposed the continents were “drifting.” The
scientific community did not support his theory due to a lack of scientific evidence. Using what
you learned in this activity, would you support Wegener’s hypothesis or not? Write a two-
paragraph essay that explains your position.
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Name: ___PIMPING, SITTIE SADECA A.

and ABAGON, IRIZ Date: ______________ Class: _G-10

- I live in Asia. Continental drift describes one of the earliest ways

Explore: Navigate to the Earthquakes Living Lab at

Notice the four main components of the Earthquakes Living

2. Select the second option, the “Southern California” box. >

6. Describe some important information related to this theory.

 Seafloor spreading and earthquakes: http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/dynamic/developing.html

Category Evidence, examples and explanations

Earthquakes Living Lab: The Theory of Plate Tectonics Activity—Worksheet 1

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