Plate Motion 1.3

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Plate Motion
Lesson 1.3: Exploring Earth’s
Plates

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Warm-Up

5 MIN

Plate Motion: Lesson 1.3

Activity 1

​Open Link to Plate Motion Simulator on Next Slide
Follow along with video

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Open Ended

What did you notice about what you can change in the Sim?

​What questions do you have about the Sim?

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Exploring Earth’s Outer
Layer

20 MIN

Plate Motion: Lesson 1.3

Activity 2

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Activity 2

Plate Motion: Lesson 1.3

Next, we’ll watch a video that shows a three-
dimensional computer model of the
surface of Earth and of Earth’s outer layer.

This visual representation shows what
scientists have learned about Earth’s outer
layer.

Open Ended

What questions do you have about the ideas in the video?

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Activity 2

Plate Motion: Lesson 1.3

We’ll use the Plate
Motion Sim to learn
more about Earth’s outer
layer. It allows us to test
ideas by making changes
that can’t be made in
real life.

Open Ended

What similarities and differences did you notice between how the video and the Sim represented the very top of Earth’s outer layer?

Open Ended

What do you notice about this visual representation? What do you think a cross section shows about Earth?

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Activity 2

Plate Motion: Lesson 1.3

Vocabulary

one of the very large sections of hard, solid rock that make up
Earth’s outer layer

plate

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Activity 2

Plate Motion: Lesson 1.3

A continent is a part of
a plate.

When we create a
continent by “adding
rock” in the Sim, we are
just thickening the plate.

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Activity 2

Plate Motion: Lesson 1.3

Next, you’ll explore the
Sim again, but this time,
you’ll focus on the
cross-section
representation
feature to learn more
about Earth’s outer layer.

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Activity 2

Plate Motion: Lesson 1.3

You’ll select different
boundary types and
observe how the Cross-
Section View changes as
the Sim runs. Then you’ll
discuss what you saw
with a partner.

​Open Sim

• Select Region 2. Use the Add Rock tool to add continents to the map.

• Press SET BOUNDARY to select a boundary type. You can return to Build to see what happens when you select a different boundary type after you make your observations.

• Press RUN and observe how the Cross-Section View changes as the Sim runs. You may want to press the Reset button in the top right corner to replay the Sim.

Open Ended

What can you see in both the Map View and the Cross-Section View?

Open Ended

What can you see in the Cross-Section View that you can’t see in the Map View?

Open Ended

After looking at the Sim and the video, how would you describe Earth’s outer layer?

Open Ended

What do you think the Cross-Section View shows about Earth’s outer layer?

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Activity 2

Plate Motion: Lesson 1.3

Let’s look back at our Investigation Question and key concept.

What else can we say about Earth’s outer
layer?

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Activity 2

Plate Motion: Lesson 1.3

How are Earth’s plates
represented in the Sim?

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Activity 2

Plate Motion: Lesson 1.3

Notice where the
sections of the outer
layer meet in the Map
View and in the Cross-
Section View. These
places are marked with
neon green lines in
both views.

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Activity 2

Plate Motion: Lesson 1.3

These places can be
found all over the surface
of the planet. They are
cracks in the outer
layer of the planet.

These boundaries were
not visible in the video.

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Activity 2

Plate Motion: Lesson 1.3

Although you might think
there would be large
gaps between the plates,
you can see in the Cross-
Section View that there
are not.

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Activity 2

Plate Motion: Lesson 1.3

Key Concept

2. Earth’s outer layer is divided into sections
called plates.

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Analyzing Maps

20 MIN

Plate Motion: Lesson 1.3

Activity 3

Open Ended

What do you know about patterns?

What are some examples of patterns?

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Plate Motion: Lesson 1.3

Vocabulary

something we observe to be similar over and over again

pattern

Activity 3 - Screen 1

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Activity 3 - Screen 2

Plate Motion: Lesson 1.3

In this activity, you’ll use
a transparency to gather
information from two
maps, to look for
patterns.

Let’s look at one of the
maps we’ll be using.

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Open Ended

Based on what you see on this map and what you already know, what do you think a plate boundary is?

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Plate Motion: Lesson 1.3

Vocabulary

the place where two plates meet

plate boundary

Activity 3 - Screen 2

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In Part 1 of this activity,
you’ll gather evidence
about what happens
where plates meet.

You will use these
materials and investigate
in pairs.

Activity 3 - Screen 3

Plate Motion: Lesson 1.3

Investigation Notebook pg 13

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Trace Plate Boundaries

Use the red marker to trace
any plate boundary lines that
are inside the boxes for Areas
A, B, C, and D.

Align Transparency

Define the Areas

Place your blank transparency
on top of the Plate Boundary
Map and align the edges.
Write “top” at the top of the
transparency.

Transparency Activity, Part 1: Plate Boundary Map

Plate Motion: Lesson 1.3

With the transparency on top
of the map, use the red
marker to trace the boxes
around Areas A, B, C, and D.
Label each area.

Investigation Notebook pg 13

Plate Boundary Map

Plate Boundary Map

TOP

TOP

Activity 3 - Screen 3

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Investigation Notebook pg 13

Plate Motion: Lesson 1.3

Activity 3 - Screen 3

Open Ended

What is an earthquake?

What happens during an earthquake?

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Plate Motion: Lesson 1.3

Vocabulary

a sudden shaking of Earth’s surface

earthquake

Activity 3 - Screen 4

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Activity 3 - Screen 5

Plate Motion: Lesson 1.3

In Part 2 of this activity,
you’ll gather evidence
about the four areas by
overlaying them on a
world map that shows
where earthquakes
occurred between 1960
and 1990.

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© The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.

Trace Plate Boundaries

Use the black marker to draw
a dot on your transparency
for each earthquake in Areas
A, B, C, and D.

Align Transparency

Observe and Discuss

Place your transparency on
top of the Earthquake Map.
Make sure the top of the
transparency aligns with the
top of the Earthquake Map.

Transparency Activity, Part 2: Earthquake Map

Plate Motion: Lesson 1.3

Observe what appears inside
the boxes you drew for Areas
A, B, C, and D. Tell your
partner what you notice.

Investigation Notebook pg 13

Activity 3 - Screen 5

Open Ended

What do you notice about where earthquakes occur in relation to plate boundaries?

Open Ended

Does there seem to be a pattern or connection between the locations of plate boundaries and earthquakes?

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Open Ended

Why do you think this pattern of earthquakes exists?

Open Ended

What do you think it can tell us about the plates that make up Earth’s outer layer?

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End of Lesson

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Plate Motion: Lesson 1.3