Introduction
Chelsea Corrigan
This webQuest is introduction to Plate Tectonics; What are Plate Tectonics, the hirstory behind Plate Tectonics, what we can learn about the past, present and future by studying plate tectonics... all in a couple of paragraphs!
This webQuest will also discuss a few other topics relating to Plate Tectonics.
Task
Chelsea Corrigan
What is a Plate Tectonic?
A Plate Tectonic is the theory that the earth's outer shell is divided into several different plates that glide over the mantle. The mantle is the rocky inner layer above the core. The plates act like a hard rigid shell. It also explains the cause of earthquakes, volcanoes, oceanic trenches, mountain range formation, and other geologic phenomenon
Who is J. Tuzo Wilson?
John Tuzo Wilson was a Canadian (born in Ottawa, Ontario) geophysicist and geologist who achieved worldwide praise for his contributions to the theory of plate tectonics.
What is the Subduction Zone?
The Subduction Zone is a region of the Earth's crust where the tectonic plates meet.
Did plate tectonics kill dinosaurs?
It is believed that the cause of the disapearence of dinosaurs was caused by a eruption of a volcano. Volcanism cannot occur without the action of plate tectonics, and vice versa. If the extinction was intrinsic and gradual, both processes probably played a role.
What is the ring of fire?
The Ring of Fire is a major area in the Pacific Ocean where a large number of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur.
What are Convention Currents?
convention currents in the magma drive plate tectonics.
Process
Chelsea Corrigan
This website covers the history of plate tectonics. It talks about the original a theory that the planet's surface contracted and wrinkled because of the sun and it dried out over time. This theory was called the contraction theory, which was propsed in the late 1800's through the early 1900's. A scientist named Alfred Wegner wasn't satisfied with this theory. He proposed his theory of continential drift in 1915. His theory was that all of the continents originally were joined together around 300 million years ago. The theory of contiential drift was the first step towards the Plate Tectonic theory, which was proposed in 1960. The Plate Tectonic theory became the foundation for how modern geology is built. For someone who wuld read this website they should read most of the paragraphs on this website to learn about the history of plate tectonics.
The second website: http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/plate-tectonics/ (canadian)
This webiste also talks about the history of plate tectonics in more depth. It also has a section of rifting which is a paragraph on earthquakes and volcanoes in 1930 along the Rhine and East African rift valleys. This website also talks about the three boundaries; Divergent Plate Boundaries, Transform Fault Boundaries, Convergent Plate Boundaries. If somone were to read this website they should direct their attention to the three boundaries, rifting and the concequences of plate tectonic activity.
The third website: http://www.canadiangeographic.ca/atlas/themes.aspx?id=canadianlandforms&sub=canadianlandforms_basics_tectonics&lang=En (canadian)
This website talks about Plate Tectonics and mountains. I chose this website to share because i personally like the diagram that shows the ocean plate and the contiential plate and their collison zone. This diagram also shows parralel ranges and how volcanic activity occurs. If someone were to look at this website they should direct their attention to this diagram.
The fourth website:https://www.learner.org/interactives/dynamicearth/plate.html
This final website talks more about plate tectonics in paragraphs, visuals and maps. It talks about the boundaries, the plates and the contiential crust. If someone were to look at this website they should read all of it because it is simple, short and and easy to read and to learn.
Evaluation
| Categories | Level 1 (50 - 59%) | Level 2 (60 - 69%) | Level 3 (70 - 79%) | Level 4 (80 - 100%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Knowledge and Understanding Describe a variety of aspects of the plate tectonic theory SS1.02 |
demonstrates a limited ability to describe a variety of aspects of plate tectonic theory | demonstrates some ability to describe a variety of aspects of plate tectonic theory | demonstrates considerable ability to describe a variety of aspects of plate tectonic theory | demonstrates a thorough ability to describe a variety of aspects of plate tectonic theory |
|
Thinking Gather geographic information from primary sources and secondary sources MI1.02 |
chooses and assesses information with limited effectiveness | chooses and assesses information with some effectiveness | chooses and assesses information with considerable effectiveness | chooses and assesses information with a high degree of effectiveness |
|
Communication Provide appropriate and sufficient geographic evidence and well-reasoned arguments to support opinions and conclusions MI2.06 |
expresses and organizes arguments with limited clarity | expresses and organizes arguments with some clarity | expresses and organizes arguments with considerable clarity | expresses and organizes arguments with a high degree of clarity |
Chelsea Corrigan
Conclusion
With this webQuest and four websites it is easy to learn about the Plate Tectonics!
Chelsea Corrigan