Plate Tectonics Assignment (1)

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Hill College *

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1404

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Geology

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Oct 30, 2023

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Plate Tectonics Lab Assignment Objectives: After completing the following lab activities, you should be able to:  Identify and define the different types of plate boundaries  Reconstruct the supercontinent of Pangea using the sea floor spreading record Purpose: This exercise focuses on the understanding of the plate tectonic settings of the modern continents, and how this knowledge is applied to the reconstruction of geologically ancient plate settings. We will examine various methods used by geologists in reconstructing the paleogeography of the world’s continents. You are welcome to collaborate with others in the class, but all work must be completed in your own words . Supplies: You will use the maps in the associated PowerPoint as well as this document to complete the exercise. Exercise Part – 1: In this exercise, you will use the map information provided to you in the “ Materials_Plate Tectonics Lab ” PowerPoint to explore present-day plate configurations and the tectonic behavior of the plates. Maps available in the PowerPoint:  Political Map  Elevation Map  Earthquake and Volcano Map  Tectonic Plates Map  Rate of Plate Movement Map  Sea-floor Spreading Map There are three types of convergent plate boundaries (oceanic-oceanic, oceanic-continental, and continental-continental). Refer to the lecture material for further explanation of plate boundaries. For this part of the exercise , specifically, refer to the Elevation Map , the Earthquake and Volcano Map , and the Tectonic Plates Map . ( Q.1 ) Using the maps in the PowerPoint, describe the following for the Himalayas : (i) the type of plate boundary (i.e., divergent, transform, continent-continent convergent, ….), (ii) the name of two tectonic plates formed this plate boundary, (iii) mountain height, (iv) depth of earthquakes, and (v) the presence or absence of volcanic activity. [10 points] ( Q.2 ) Using the maps, describe the following for the Andes Mountains: (i) the type of plate boundary, (ii) names of two tectonic plates which formed this plate boundary, (iii) mountain height, (iv) depth of earthquakes, and (v) the presence or absence of volcanic activity. [10 points] 1

( Q.3 ) Note that, between the Himalayas and Andes , one of them has high volcanic activity, but the other has none! How can you explain this difference in volcanic activity in terms of plate tectonics (hint: look at the type of plate boundaries)? [10 points] ( Q.4 ) Using the maps, describe the following for the Java Trench : (i) the type of plate boundary, (ii) names of the tectonic plates, (iii) the mountain height, (iv) depth of earthquakes, and (v) the presence or absence of volcanic activity. [10 points] ( Q.5 ) How would you explain the difference in depth of earthquakes between the Himalayas and the Java Trench in terms of plate tectonics? Does this also explain differences in volcanic activity? Why or why not? [10 points] Exercise Part – 2: In this exercise, you will again use information provided in the various maps to explore possible future continental configurations on Earth. Specifically, refer to the maps of plate movement and sea-floor spreading . The Pacific Ocean (Pacific and Nazca Plates) is surrounded by subduction zones in which the Pacific Plate is being subducted under the North American, Philippine, Australian, and South American Plates. ( Q.6 ) If present-day conditions prevail, what will be the ultimate fate of the Pacific Ocean? To what is this fate already underway, and how do you know this (hint: Pacific Ring of Fire)? [10 points] ( Q.7 ) Conversely, there are spreading centers running through the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. If present-day conditions prevail, what will be the ultimate fate of the Pacific Ocean? [10 points] ( Q.8 ) The Antarctic Plate is presently surrounded by active spreading ridges. What effect will such conditions have on the plate tectonic movement and size of the Antarctic continent as long as these conditions exist? [10 points] Exercise Part – 3: In this final part of the exercise, you will use the sea-floor spreading map to investigate how sea-floor spreading has affected continental configurations in the geologic past (remember the Principle of Uniformitarianism). There are many lines of evidence that have led geoscientists towards the conclusion that massive supercontinents must have existed in the past. For instance, similarities between fossil plants and animals in distant locations can offer information on ancient geographical position, as can similarities in rock type on now-distant continents, or similarity in deformational style on mountain belts. There is, however, only one supercontinent that can unequivocally be reconstructed – the supercontinent of Pangea . This reconstruction is possible because we have been able to use the record of the Earth’s generation of new oceanic crust to construct a detailed history of the ages of the sea floor. The last two questions in this exercise examine the crust that has been produced since the tectonic fragmentation of Pangea. 2

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