tactonic plates

1. Starter: How do Oreo Cookies and Geography
connect?
How many geographical and cookie
related connections can you make?

2. What are tectonic plate boundaries?
The theory of plate tectonics states that the lithosphere (the land we live on, the
crust) is made up of different plates and they move. This theory also explains
why and how earthquakes and volcanoes are likely to occur within certain areas
as well as how new crust forms. These plates are thought to ‘float’ and move
across the top of the asthenosphere (the mantle). The asthenosphere (middle
mantle) is responsible for much of this movement and is the layer just below
the lithosphere (upper mantle) .
While moving, the tectonic plates interact with each other at their boundaries
(edges). The types of interactions at the boundaries of these plates, results in
four main types : Collision, Constructive, Destructive and Conservative.
As a physical geographer, I studied tectonics in a lot of detail in my University degree. I studied
geography (processes on the earth) and geology ( the study of the rocks which make up the
earth). Its one of my favourite parts of Geography. I am going to share with you some really high-
level, technical vocabulary and processes.

3. What is the structure of the Earth ?

4. The crust and Oreos?

5. Crust
Upper
mantle
Lower
mantle

6. Oreo tectonic plates?
Let’s practice being an Oreo Cookie Operator
together!
Directions:
• 1. Carefully without breaking the cookie remove the top cookie (lift it off).
Place is loosely (gently) back on top of the creamy filling.
• 2. Then slide the top portion of the cookie over the filling (gently) with your
finger.
This represents the movement of a tectonic plate
sliding over the asthenosphere (upper mantle).

7. Plate boundaries and Oreos?
In pairs you will decide on two roles: an Information Researcher and a Oreo
Cookie Operator.
1. The Information Researcher will find the plate boundaries around the
room, gather the important information, note it down and explain this to
their partner, back in your sear.
2. The Oreo Cookie Operator will move the crust to cause the plates to move
and observe the effect at the four boundaries.
Remember:
There are four plate boundaries to investigate.
You both need to complete your worksheet.
You both need to sketch what you observe when the plates move.
There are lots of cookies (for you all to eat after!)
Challenge Question: Explain the types of plate boundary, using named
examples.

8. Oreo 1: Destructive plate boundary
With destructive plate boundaries move, the plates are moving
toward each other or converging. The oceanic plate goes beneath
another plate, the continental and is subducted (subducting). When
oceanic plates converge with continental plates the denser oceanic
plate subducts beneath the continental plate. A deep sea trench is
formed, and then a mountain chain and volcano form.
Directions:
• 1. Carefully break the top cookie of your Oreo in half. (Do not
break the bottom cookie)
• 2. Then bring the broken parts together in the centre of the
Oreo.
• 3. Once completed place your cookie on your portion of your
napkin marked divergent boundary.

9. Oreo 2: Constructive plate boundary
When two plates move away from each other they are
considered to be a constructive plate boundary. These
boundaries sometimes referred to as “spreading centres,”
and occur during sea-floor spreading. An example would
include the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The plates has spread
apart, new land has been created and Iceland, as a result,
was formed.
Directions:
• 1. Carefully break the top cookie of your Oreo in half.
(Do not break the bottom cookie)
• 2. Then, gently pull these two parts of the top cookie
apart.

10. Oreo 3: Conservative plate boundary
Conservative plate boundaries are when two plates slide past one
another. This movement is not equal. An example of a transform
boundary is in California, USA called the San Andreas Fault. This occurs
where the North American plate passes along the Pacific Plate, along
the San Andreas Fault. During this movement the Pacific Plate is
moving Northwest and the North American Plates is moving
southwest. Portions of the San Andreas Fault move as much as five
centimetres (cm) per year, whereas in other sections it has not moved
in over a century.
Directions:
• 1. Carefully break the top cookie of your Oreo in half. (Do not
break the bottom cookie)
• 2. Then pull/push the two parts of the top cookie past one
another, in opposite directions (one upwards and the other
downwards).

11. Oreo 4: Collision plate boundary
During plate movement plates interact in varies ways. The plates at collision
move towards each other. This is usually found on major continents. Here,
the land found on the edge of the plate becomes crumpled up. This forms
fold mountains. There are no volcanoes found at collision plate boundaries.
An example of this fold mountain is the Andes mountains on the South
American Plate. In addition, this collision generally will cause one plate to be
pushed high, upwards into a mountain range. An example of such an event
created the Himalaya Mountains.
Directions:
• 1. Carefully break the top cookie of your Oreo in half. (Do not break the
bottom cookie)
• 2. Then Push the two parts of the top cookie towards one another (so
the collide).
• 3. Once completed: you should see the top cookie and the white filling
pushed up together.