LAB MODULE 13: PLATE TECTONICS Note: Please refer to the GETTING STARTEDmodule to learn how to maneuver through, and how to answer the lab questions, in the Google Earth ( ) component. KEY TERMS You should know and understand the following terms : Continental Drift Pacific Ring of Fire Reverse Fault Earthquakes Pangaea Subduction Hotspots Plate Convergence Transform Fault Normal Fault Plate Divergence Overthrust fault Plate tectonics LAB MODULE LEARNING OBJECTIVES After successfully completing this module, you should be able to do the following tasks: · Explain the theory of plate tectonics · Explain the theory of continental drift · Identify and describe types of plate movement · Identify and describe the three types of volcanoes · Explain the concept of hotspots · Compute the rates of plate movement · Identify and describe the different types of faults INTRODUCTION This module examines plate tectonics. Topics include continental drift, tectonic landforms, plate boundaries, faults and hotspots. While these topics may appear to be disparate, you will learn how they are inherently related. The module starts with four opening topics, or vignettes, which are found in the accompanying Google Earth file. These vignettes introduce basic concepts of the internal structure of the Earth. Some of the vignettes have animations, videos, or short articles that will provide another perspective or visual explanation for the topic at hand. After reading the vignette and associated links, answer the following questions. Please note that some links might take a while to download based on your Internet speed. Expandthe INTRODUCTION folder and then check Topic 1: Introduction . Read Topic 1: Introduction Question 1: Based on this map, what is one continent in which the there are two (or more) plates? A. North America B. Europe C. Asia D. Africa Read Topic 2: Continental Drift Question 2: What was discovered in Antarctica that solidified Wegener’s theory of continental drift? A. Snow and ice B. Mineral deposits C. Tropical plant fossils D. Extinct volcanoes Read Topic 3: Tectonic Landforms Question 3: Where do scientists think the next major ocean will be formed? A. Gulf of Mexico B. Iceland C. Australia D. East Africa Read Topic 4: Human Interaction Question 4: Based on the article, w hich is not a reason why humans are drawn to plate boundaries. A. Nice scenery B. Geothermal energy C. Fertile soil D. Ore deposits Collapse and uncheck the Introduction folder. GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE Expand GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE . Double-click and select Tectonic Plate Boundaries and Names to display the names on the globe of the major tectonic plates. Millions of humans live near the major tectonic plate boundaries. The potential dangers of living on or near a plate boundary include earthquakes, volcanoes, and tsunamis. However, these natural hazards do little to discourage people f.

1. LAB MODULE 13: PLATE TECTONICS
Note:
Please refer to the GETTING STARTEDmodule to learn how to
maneuver through, and how to answer the lab questions, in the
Google Earth (
) component.
KEY TERMS
You should know and understand the following terms
:
Continental Drift
Pacific Ring of Fire
Reverse Fault
Earthquakes
Pangaea
Subduction
Hotspots
Plate Convergence
Transform Fault
Normal Fault
Plate Divergence
Overthrust fault
Plate tectonics
LAB MODULE LEARNING OBJECTIVES

2. After successfully completing this module, you should be able
to do the following tasks:
·
Explain the theory of plate tectonics
·
Explain the theory of continental drift
·
Identify and describe types of plate movement
·
Identify and describe the three types of volcanoes
·
Explain the concept of hotspots
·
Compute the rates of plate movement
·
Identify and describe the different types of faults
INTRODUCTION
This module examines plate tectonics. Topics include
continental drift, tectonic landforms, plate boundaries, faults
and hotspots. While these topics may appear to be disparate,

3. you will learn how they are inherently related. The module
starts with four opening topics, or vignettes, which are found in
the accompanying Google Earth file. These vignettes introduce
basic concepts of the internal structure of the Earth. Some of
the vignettes have animations, videos, or short articles that will
provide another perspective or visual explanation for the topic
at hand. After reading the vignette and associated links, answer
the following questions. Please note that some links might take
a while to download based on your Internet speed.
Expandthe
INTRODUCTION
folder and then check
Topic 1: Introduction
.
Read
Topic 1: Introduction
Question 1:
Based on this map, what is one continent in which the there are
two (or more) plates?
A.
North America
B.
Europe

4. C.
Asia
D.
Africa
Read
Topic 2: Continental Drift
Question 2:
What was discovered in Antarctica that solidified Wegener’s
theory of continental drift?
A.
Snow and ice
B.
Mineral deposits
C.
Tropical plant fossils
D.
Extinct volcanoes
Read

5. Topic 3:
Tectonic Landforms
Question 3:
Where do scientists think the next major ocean will be formed?
A.
Gulf of Mexico
B.
Iceland
C.
Australia
D.
East Africa
Read
Topic 4:
Human Interaction
Question 4:
Based on the article, w
hich is not a reason why humans are drawn to plate boundaries.
A.
Nice scenery

6. B.
Geothermal energy
C.
Fertile soil
D.
Ore deposits
Collapse and uncheck the
Introduction
folder.
GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE
Expand
GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE
. Double-click and select
Tectonic Plate Boundaries and Names
to display the names on the globe of the major tectonic plates.
Millions of humans live near the major tectonic plate
boundaries. The potential dangers of living on or near a plate
boundary include earthquakes, volcanoes, and tsunamis.
However, these natural hazards do little to discourage people
from settling in these cities, especially if the region has
economic, religious, political or social importance.

7. Expand and select
Major Cities
. Double-click and select
Question 5
. When you arrive at your destination, find the information to
fill in the blanks below. Choose the
two closest tectonic plates
. Repeat this for Questions 5 to 8.
Question 5:
City: San Francisco
Two closest tectonic plates
Plate 1 name:
A.
Pacific/North America
B.
Pacific/Californian
C.
North American/California
D.
Pacific/Juan de Fuca
Question 6:
City: Taipei, Taiwan
Two closest tectonic plates

8. A.
Philippine/Taiwan
B.
Taiwan/China
C.
Philippine/China
D.
Eurasian/Philippine
Question 7:
City: Jerusalem, Israel
Two closest tectonic plates
A.
Arabian/Eurasian
B.
Mediterranean/Eurasian
C.
African/Arabian
D.

9. African/Eurasian
Question 8:
City: Karachi, Pakistan
Two closest tectonic plates
A.
Indian/Eurasian
B.
Arabian/African
C.
Pakistani/Indian
D.
Burmese/Eurasian
Collapse and uncheck the
GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE
folder.
PLATE BOUNDARIES AND MOVEMENTS
In general, tectonic plate boundaries are classified as

10. converging
,
diverging
, and
transform
, while tectonic plate types are classified as either
oceanic
or
continental
. The following descriptions of plate boundaries and movements
will help you answer Questions 10 to 23.
Converging Boundaries
When an oceanic plate and a continental plate converge (Figure
1), the result is
subduction
, because the oceanic plate slides under the continental plate.
Mountain ranges of volcanoes are created by magma from the
melting oceanic plate rising to (and through) the continental
crust. Deep oceanic trenches typically parallel the coast.
Expand the
PLATE BOUNDARIES
folder and then click
Subduction Animation
to view an animation of this type of convergence boundary
.
Figure
1
. Oceanic-continental convergence (
USGS
).

11. Figure
2
. Continental-continental convergence (
USGS
).
When two continental plates converge (Figure 2), compression
and uplift occur at the boundary to form mountain ranges.
Continental-continental convergence mountains are not
comprised of volcanoes and thus contrast the orogeny of
mountain ranges produced by oceanic-continental convergence.
When two oceanic plates converge (Figure 3), one subducts
under the other and the result is a deep ocean trench. In some
cases, under sea volcanoes format these boundaries. Over
millions of years, these oceanic-oceanic convergence
boundaries produce volcanoes that reach the surface and form a
chain of islands shaped in an arc.
Figure
3
. Oceanic-oceanic convergence (
USGS
).
Diverging Boundaries
As the name implies, diverging boundaries occur where plates
are moving away from each other. If the plates are oceanic, the
result can be an underwater mountain range which follows the

12. plate boundaries. If the plates are continental, the initial result
is the creation of a valley or rift. Given enough time, these
valleys or rifts might be submerged, forming long, narrow seas.
Transform Boundaries
Transform boundaries occur when two plates move horizontally
past each other. The boundary, or
fault,
between the two plates can be several miles wide. Friction
between the two plate boundaries can build up tectonic stress,
which can be released instantaneously into the Earth’s crust in
the form of an earthquake.
Expand the
Boundaries
folder, check the
Plate Boundaries
folder, and then double‑click
Boundary A
.
Based on the descriptions of plate boundaries and movement
provided, identify Boundaries A through G:
Question 9:
Boundary
_________
A.
Continental-continental convergent

13. B.
Continental-oceanic convergent
C.
Oceanic-Oceanic convergent
D.
Oceanic divergent
E.
Continental-continental divergent
F.
Transform
Question 10:
Why did you choose this answer?
A.
Red Sea is shrinking because two continental plates are coming
together.
B.
Red Sea plate is subducting under the Arabian Plate
C.

14. The Arabian and African plates are moving away from each
other, creating the Red Sea
D.
The African plate is subducting under the Arabian Plate, closing
off the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean
Double‑click
Boundary B
.
Question 11:
Boundary
_________
A.
Continental-continental convergent
B.
Continental-oceanic convergent
C.
Oceanic-Oceanic convergent
D.
Oceanic divergent

15. E.
Continental-continental divergent
F.
Transform
Question 12:
Why did you choose this answer?
A.
Himalayas were formed by Indian plate riding over the Eurasian
plate
B.
Himalayas were formed by the Eurasian plate riding over the
Indian plate
C.
Himalayas were formed by the Indian and Eurasian plates
colliding
D.
Himalayas were formed by the Indian and Eurasian plates
moving apart
Double‑click

16. Boundary C
.
Question 13:
Boundary
_________
A.
Continental-continental convergent
B.
Continental-oceanic convergent
C.
Oceanic-Oceanic convergent
D.
Oceanic divergent
E.
Continental-continental divergent
F.
Transform

17. Question 14:
Why did you choose this answer?
A.
Mid-Atlantic ridge was created by North American and African
plates colliding
B.
Mid-Atlantic ridge was created by South American and African
plates colliding
C.
Mid-Atlantic ridge was created by North American plate
subducting under the Eurasian plate
D.
Mid-Atlantic ridge was created by North American and Eurasian
plates moving apart and the South American and African plates
moving apart.
Double‑click
Boundary D
.
Question 15:
Boundary
_________
A.

18. Continental-continental convergent
B.
Continental-oceanic convergent
C.
Oceanic-Oceanic convergent
D.
Oceanic divergent
E.
Continental-continental divergent
F.
Transform
Question 16:
Why did you choose this answer?
A.
The Pacific and South American Plates are moving apart,
forming a deep trench
B.

19. The Pacific and South American plates are colliding forming the
Andes Mountains
C.
The Pacific plate is subducting under the South American plate,
forming a deep trench
D.
The South American plate is subducting under the Pacific plate,
forming a deep trench
Double‑click
Boundary E
.
Question 17:
Boundary
_________
A.
Continental-continental convergent
B.
Continental-oceanic convergent
C.

20. Oceanic-Oceanic convergent
D.
Oceanic divergent
E.
Continental-continental divergent
F.
Transform
Question 18:
Why did you choose this answer?
A.
The Pacific and North American Plates are moving apart,
forming a deep trench
B.
The Pacific and North American plates are colliding forming the
Andes Mountains
C.
The Pacific plate is subducting under the North American plate,
forming a deep trench
D.

21. The North American plate is subducting under the Pacific plate,
forming a deep trench
Double‑click
Boundary F
.
Question 19:
Boundary
_________
A.
Continental-continental convergent
B.
Continental-oceanic convergent
C.
Oceanic-Oceanic convergent
D.
Oceanic divergent
E.
Continental-continental divergent

22. F.
Transform
Question 20:
Why did you choose this answer?
A.
The two plates are colliding, creating a series of lakes in
Eastern Africa
B.
The two plates are moving apart creating a series of lakes in
Eastern Africa
C.
The two plates are sliding past each other creating a series of
lakes in Eastern Africa
D.
The two plates are colliding and shrinking the lakes in Eastern
Africa
Double‑click
Boundary G
.
Question 21:
Boundary
_________

23. A.
Continental-continental convergent
B.
Continental-oceanic convergent
C.
Oceanic-Oceanic convergent
D.
Oceanic divergent
E.
Continental-continental divergent
F.
Transform
Question 22:
Why did you choose this answer?
A.
The Pacific and Philippine plates are moving apart, forming a

24. deep trench
B.
The Pacific and Philippine plates are colliding forming the
Andes Mountains
C.
The Pacific plate is subducting under the Philippine plate,
forming a deep trench
D.
The Philippine plate is subducting under the Pacific plate,
forming a deep trench
Collapse and uncheck the
PLATE BOUNDARIES
folder.
EARTHQUAKES
When tectonic stresses from moving plates along boundaries
and fault lines become too great, there can be a sudden release
of energy which is manifested as an earthquake. The
foci
(where the earthquake originates) is often deep within the
Earth’s lithosphere, while the epicenter, located vertically
above the focus, is found at the Earth’s surface.

25. Earthquakes occur daily, yet we are not always able to feel
them. Seismic waves (p and s waves) from the earthquake help
triangulate the location of the epicenter by way of the Richter
scale. The Richter scale, which is based on a logarithmic scale,
measures the energy released by an earthquake; so, an
earthquake measuring 4.0 on the Richter scale releases 10 times
the energy as compared to one measuring 3.0.
It is estimated that there are on average 130,000 earthquakes
worldwide measuring between 3.0 and 3.9 each year (USGS,
2011). The most powerful earthquake recorded was in Valdivia,
Chile in 1960, measuring 9.5 on the Richter scale. It generated a
tsunami that traveled over 10,000 km across the Pacific Ocean,
striking Japan and the Philippines with waves as high as 35 feet.
Figure
4
. Legend.
Expand the
EARTHQUAKES
folder, expand the
2011 Earthquakes
folder, and check only
USGS Logo
and
Legend
(Figure 4).
Within this folder are the locations, magnitudes (based on the
Richter scale), and depths of all recorded earthquakes in 2011
(you might have to zoom in or zoom out to see the epicenters).
Double‑click the
Magnitude 9

26. folder.
Question 23:
Where was the magnitude of 9 or higher recorded in 2011?
A.
Off the coast of California
B.
Off the coast of Chile
C.
Off the coast of Japan
D.
Off the coast of Hawaii
Uncheck the
Magnitude 9
folder. Double‑click and select
the
Magnitude 7
folder.
Question 24:
How many earthquakes with a magnitude between 7 and 7.9
were recorded in 2011?
A.
19

27. B.
14
C.
26
D.
33
Question 25:
How many earthquakes with a magnitude between 7 and 7.9
and a depth of 0-35 km were recorded in 2011?
A.
8
B.
10
C.
12
D.
15
Uncheck and then recheck the
2011 Earthquakes

28. folder.
Verify that all boxes are checked (from
USGS Logo
to
Magnitude None
).
Question 26:
Based on a visual inspection of the globe, which country
experienced the most earthquakes in 2011? (You might have to
zoom in or out).
A.
Japan
B.
Chile
C.
Russia
D.
United States
Question 27:
With respect to all earthquakes, most of them are located along
the perimeter of the Pacific Ocean. What is this area - with its
distinct pattern of earthquakes - known as?
A.
Edge of fire

29. B.
Ring of fire
C.
Pacific tectonic zone
D.
Ring of earthquakes
With the
2011 Earthquakes
selected, check the
PLATE BOUNDARIES
folder.
Question 28:
Which of the following describes the spatial relationship
between plate boundaries and earthquake epicenters.
A.
They are seldom found near each other
B.
They appear to be randomly distributed
C.
They are often found together

30. D.
There is no apparent spatial relationship
Collapse and uncheck the
EARTHQUAKES
and
PLATE BOUNDARIES
folders.
HOTSPOTS
Expand the
HOTSPOTS
folder and then click
Hotspot Animation
to view an animation of this type of convergence boundary.
Double‑click and select
Seamount Chain
and
Kilauea
.
Most scientists believe that the Hawaiian Islands and the
associated Hawaiian-Emperor Seamount Chain were created by
a hotspot. A hotspot is a stationary location in the
asthenosphere where a magma plume upwells and forms a

31. seamount
(an undersea volcano). If tectonic activity is sufficient, the
seamount will grow, break the surface of the ocean, and
eventually form an island.
Although the hotspot remains stationary, the overlying plate
continues to move, resulting in a series of islands,
atolls
(coral islands with lagoons), and seamounts that show the
movement of the plate over millions of years. Within this chain,
the plate movement is evident as you move away from the Big
Island of Hawai’i where the hotspot currently exists. At the end
of the seamount chain is Meiji Guyot, created about 82 million
years ago and considered by many to be the oldest seamount in
the chain.
As the bend in the chain suggests, the Pacific plate has not
always move at the same rate or in the same direction.
Researchers theorize that about 43 to 50 million years ago, the
Pacific plate changed direction and shifted from a northerly
direction to a more westerly one. Currently, the Pacific Plate is
moving in a northwest direction. And while the hotspot is
currently under Kilauea on the Big Island of Hawai’i, it is also
forming Li’iho Seamount, a new seamount about 35 km
southeast from the Big Island.
In the Table of Contents, open the
Layers
pane, and verify
Borders and Labels
is selected. You might have to zoom in to see the labels of the
islands.
Question 29:
Using the ruler tool, what is the distance in miles from Kilauea

32. to the center of Kauai? _________
A.
935 miles
B.
325 miles
C.
525 miles
D.
652 miles
Kauai was formed about 5.1 million years ago.
Question 30:
Using the information above, calculate the average rate of
speed (in inches per year, or in/yr) of the plate since the
creation of Kauai? (Remember: Convert miles to inches: 63,360
inches = 1 mile). Show your work.
A.
235 miles * 63360 inches/mile / 5,100,000 years = 2.92
inches/year
B.
352 miles * 63360 inches/mile / 5,100,000 years = 4.37
inches/year

33. C.
525 miles * 63360 inches/mile / 5,100,000 years = 6.52
inches/year
D.
325 miles * 63360 inches/mile / 5,100,000 years = 4.04
inches/year
Question 31:
Using the ruler tool, what is the distance in miles from Kilauea
to the center of Maui?
A.
~9 miles
B.
~110 miles
C.
~330 miles
D.
~550 miles
Maui was created about 1.3 million years ago.
Question 32:
Using the information above, calculate the average rate of

34. speed (in inches per year, or in/yr) of the plate since the
creation of Maui? (Remember: Convert miles to inches). Show
your work.
A.
9 miles * 63360 inches/mile / 1,300,000 years = 4.39
inches/year
B.
550 miles * 63360 inches/mile / 1,300,000 years = 2.63
inches/year
C.
330 miles * 63360 inches/mile / 1,300,000years = 3.04
inches/year
D.
110 miles * 63360 inches/mile / 1,300,000 years = 3.56
inches/year
Question 33:
Do hotspots occur only in the ocean? Explain why or why not.
A.
Yes, because they form only under oceanic crust
B.
Yes, because there is no evidence of them under continental
crust

35. C.
No, because, there is evidence of them under continental crust
(e.g. Yellowstone)
D.
No, because the Andes Mountains in South America are a good
example of a hotspot
In the Table of Contents, go to the
Layers
pane, and uncheck
Borders and Labels
.
Collapse and uncheck the
HOTSPOTS
folder.
FAULT TYPES
Expand the
FAULT TYPES
folder and then click
Fault-Types Animation
to view an animation.

36. Folding is the process by which rocks compress and deform.
Several kinds of geologic structures are associated with this
process, including anticlines, synclines, overturned fold, and
overthrust faults.
Double-click
Fly-over: Appalachian Mountains
.
Close the animation control panel:
Double-click and select
Appalachian Mountains.
This area of the Appalachian Mountains is known as the Ridge
and Valley Province. The
geomorphology
, or spatial form and evolution of the land, consists of many
ridges and valleys.
Anticlines
form most of the ridges in this area, while
synclines
make up many valleys. However, over millions of years, an
inversion can occur in which structurally, synclines become
ridges and anticlines become valleys. This is due in part to the
erosion of softer rock by water over time. A resultant landform
in these structurally inverted landscapes consists of steeply
sloped ridges with sharp summits known as
hogback ridges,
which occur on each side of an anticline valley.
Question 34:

37. Is Feature
an anticline or syncline?
A.
Anticline
B.
Syncline
C.
Hogback ridge
D.
Both a syncline and anticline
Question 35:
What is Feature
(linear feature) which is located
at the base of the Rocky Mountains? ________________
A.
Anticline
B.
Syncline
C.

38. Hogback ridge
D.
Both a syncline and anticline
Double-click and select
Appalachian Mountains.
Many geographers recognize four major faults – normal (Figure
5), reverse (Figure 6), overthrust (Figure 7), and strike-slip
(Figure 8) faults.
Figure
5
. Normal Fault (Arbogast 2
nd
Ed.).
Figure
6
. Reverse Fault (Arbogast 2
nd
Ed.).
Figure
7
. Overthrust Fault (Arbogast 2
nd
Ed.).
Figure

39. 8
. Strike-Slip Fault (Arbogast 2nd Ed.).
In the following questions, answer and identify these types of
faults. Where there is a series of normal faults,
horst
and
graben
can be found.
Question 36:
What is the name of the cliff face formed by a normal fault?
A.
Scarp
B.
Talus
C.
Scree
D.
Slide
Question 37:
What is Feature ?:
A.

40. Horst
B.
Graben
C.
Ridge
D.
Reverse fault
Question 38:
What is Feature ?:
A.
Horst
B.
Graben
C.
Ridge
D.
Reverse fault
Question 39:
What fault is not associated with uplift?

41. A.
Normal
B.
Reverse
C.
Overthrust
D.
Strike-slip
Question 40:
Are faults limited to land, or can they occur under water as
well? Explain why or why not.
A.
Limited to land, as there is no evidence of faulting under water
B.
Limited to land, as faulting is a continental crust phenomenon
C.
Not limited to land, as faulting can occur under water
D.
Not limited to land, as faulting requires at least one side to be
oceanic.

42. References
USGS. 2011.
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eqarchives/year/eqstats.
php
. Accessed December 15, 2011.