1. 1
Name: James DuPont
Topic: Science- Earth Systems
Grades:9-12
Learning Objective:
Standard 3:
Students will understand that gravity, density, and convection move Earth’s
plates and this movement causes the plates to impact other Earth systems.
Objective 2:
Describe the processes within Earth that result in plate motion and relate it to
changes in other Earth systems
1.)http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/topics/?topicID=30&topic=Plate%2520tectoni
cs *On the left hand side of the page is “Earthquake Glossary”. Click that
and then look for the term “Plate Tectonics”
A.)Define Plate Tectonics:
2.)http://www.english-online.at/science/solar-system/layers-of-the-earth.gif
*Use the picture to answer the question
A.)Please list the layers of the Earth from starting from the surface:
2.5)http://www.learner.org/interactives/volcanoes/
Read the first page and press the continue button to read the rest.
Finish by answering the questions.
A.) What’s the difference between magma and lava?
B.)How is a volcano formed?
C.) What happens when a volcano erupts?
3.)http://www.volcanoes.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4
7&Itemid=56

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*Find a volcano on the page from somewhere in the world and list two
facts about it
Volcano:
A.)
B.)
4.)http://crack.seismo.unr.edu/ftp/pub/louie/class/100/interior.html
*Read the first section of the page and stop at “Exploring the Earth’s
Core”
A.) Please list one fact for each of the 4 layers of the earth
1.)
2.)
3.)
4.)
5.)http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/dynamic/understanding.html
*Please read the following sections(: Divergent boundaries, Convergent
boundaries, Transform boundaries) of the article and then answer the
questions
A.)What is a divergent boundary?
B.) What is a convergent boundary?
C.)What is a transform boundary?
6.)http://crack.seismo.unr.edu/ftp/pub/louie/class/100/plate-tectonics.html
*Please read the page and then answer the questions:

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A.)What is the lithosphere and what does it do?
B.)List the three tectonic environments and define them
C.) Besides Earth were else can Extensional ridges be found?
7.)http://videos.howstuffworks.com/science/plate-tectonics-videos-
playlist.htm#video-29595
*Watch the video and answer the questions
A.) Why have earthquakes been important when looking at Plate tectonics?
B.) When an earthquake happens, what can occur on the surface?
8.)http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/dynamic/tectonics.html
*Read the page and answer the questions
A.)What other Earth systems does plate movement affect?
B.)How does plate movement affect these systems?
9.)http://www.exploratorium.edu/faultline/basics/waves.html
*Read and answer the questions
A.) What are the different waves anearthquake can make?
B.) Which of these waves would you consider most dangerous? Why?
9.5)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_yjr7Hk2ro
*Watch the video to see some real-life earthquake footage

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10.)http://dsc.discovery.com/guides/planetearth/earthquake/interactive/interacti
ve.html
*Follow the steps to simulate your own earthquake. Have fun here and
test the different options out. After, answer the following questions:
A.)Write down the specifications you chose for one of your simulation
earthquakes.
B.)Did the building survive the simulation?
C.)Write down some notes from the aftermath section after the simulation is
done.
D.) Why is understanding how to build an earthquake proof building
important?

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ANSWERS
1. Define plate tectonics
a. (Plate Tectonics is the theory supported by a wide range of evidence
that considers the earth's crust and upper mantle to be composed of
several large, thin, relatively rigid plates that move relative to one
another)
2. Use the picture to answer the question
a. Please list the layers of the Earth from starting from the surface
(Crust, Mantel,Outer Core, Inner core)
2.5Read the first page and press the continue button to read the rest. Finish
by answering the questions
b. What’s the difference between magma and lava?
(Once magma escapes from the mantel, it becomes lava)
c. How is a volcanos formed?
(Most volcanoes occur on plate boundaries. Plate boundaries are areas
where Earth's shifting plates meet or split apart, usually with violent
results.)
d. What happens when a volcano erupts?
(Answers will vary)
3. Find a volcano the page from somewhere in the world and list two facts
about it. (Answers will vary)
a. List the volcano’s location
b. First fact
c. Second Fact
4. Read the first section of the page and stop at “Exploring the Earth’s
Core”(Answers will vary)
a. First fact
b. Second Fact
c. Third Fact
d. Fourth Fact
5. Please read the following sections(: Divergent boundaries, Convergent
boundaries, Transform boundaries) of the article and then answer the
questions
a. What is a divergent boundary?
(Where new crust is generated as the plates pull away from each other)

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b. What is a convergent boundary?
(where crust is destroyed as one plate dives under another)
c. What is a transform boundary?
(where crust is neither produced nor destroyed as the plates slide
horizontally past each other)
6. Please read the page and then answer the questions
a. What is the lithosphere and what does it do?
(The outer layer of the Earth that act likes a rigid shell)
b. List the three tectonic environments and define them
(extensional: spreading ridges:, transform:plates mostly slide past each
other laterally, and compressional: plates collide)
c. Besides Earth were else can Extensional ridges be found?
(Venus)
7. Watch the video and answer the question
a. What happens before magma reaches the surface?
(earthquakes)
b. When an earthquake happens, what can occur on the surface?
(Answers will vary; When an earthquake occurs the surface can crack
that causes damage)
8. Read the page and answer the questions
a. What other Earth systems does plate movement affect?
(Answers should very, People, Animals, Ecosystems)
b. How does plate movement affect these systems?
(Plate movement affects these systems because their movement causes
earthquakes which causes extensive damage on the surface)
9. Read and answer the questions
a. What are the different waves an earthquake can make?
(P wave, S wave, Love wave, Rayleigh wave)
b. Which of these waves would you consider most dangerous? Why?
(Love wave, Rayleigh wave, or Both)
10. Follow the steps to simulate your own earthquake. Have fun here and test the
different options out. After, answer the following questions
a. Write down the specifications you chose for one of your simulation
earthquakes.
(Answers will vary)
b. Did the building survive the simulation?
(Answers will vary)
c. Write down some notes from the aftermath section after the
simulation is done.
(Answers will vary)
d. Why is understanding how to build an earthquake proof building
important?
(Answers will vary; our safety)