PhET Activity for MS-ESS2-1: Plate Tectonics

DIRECTIONS:
1. On the initial screen, click the 'Plate Tectonics Plus Rock Formation' button.
2. Wait for the simulation to load.
3. In the 'Select Planet Layout' step, click the '2 Plates' option.
4. Click the 'Next' button at the bottom right.
5. In the 'Draw continents' step, use the 'Draw Continents' tool to paint a small landmass on each of the two plates.
6. Click the 'Next' button.
7. In the 'Assign boundary types' step, click on the magenta plate boundary line.
8. In the 'Plate Boundary Type' popup, click the 'divergent' button.
9. Click the 'Next' button.
10. In the 'Order plates' step, leave the default order and click the 'Finish' button.
11. You are now in the main simulation view. Take a moment to identify the 'Start' button, the 'Map Type' selector, and the 'Volcanoes'/'Earthquakes' toggles.
Spend 2-3 minutes exploring the main simulation screen. Rotate the planet and identify the different controls available in the bottom bar, but do not start the simulation or change any settings yet.

QUESTION: Are you acquainted with the tools in this simulation?

DIRECTIONS:
1. Ensure you are in the main simulation view from the previous slide.
2. Click the 'Start' button in the bottom control bar to begin the simulation.
3. Observe the planet as the simulation runs for approximately 1 million years (Myr).

QUESTION: As the two plates move apart at the divergent boundary, what major feature is being formed?

DIRECTIONS:
1. Let the simulation continue to run.
2. Click the 'Earthquakes' toggle switch on the bottom right to turn it on.

QUESTION: Earthquakes at this divergent boundary are concentrated in a ___ line directly along the ___.

(a)  

DIRECTIONS:
1. Ensure the simulation is running and the 'Earthquakes' toggle is on.
2. Click the 'Volcanoes' toggle switch on the bottom right to turn it on.

QUESTION: The volcanic activity at this divergent boundary is located (a)   .

DIRECTIONS:
1. Locate the 'Map Type' selector at the bottom left of the screen.
2. Click the right arrow on the 'Map Type' selector once to switch from 'Topographic' to 'Plate Color' view.

QUESTION: What is the main advantage of using the 'Plate Color' map view in this simulation?

DIRECTIONS:
1. Ensure you are in the 'Plate Color' view.
2. Click the right arrow on the 'Map Type' selector again to switch to the 'Crust Age' view.
3. Let the simulation run and observe the changing colors.

QUESTION: In the 'Crust Age' view, where is the newest (youngest) oceanic crust located?

DIRECTIONS:
1. With the 'Crust Age' map active, click the 'Keys and Opts' button on the top right of the screen.
2. The panel will open to the 'Map Type' tab. Examine the 'Crust Age' key.

QUESTION: Based on the 'Crust Age' key, arrange the following colors in order from newest crust to oldest crust.

DIRECTIONS:
1. With the 'Keys and Options' panel open, click on the 'Seismic Data' tab.
2. Examine the keys for 'Volcanoes' and 'Earthquakes'.

QUESTION: Match the seismic feature with its representation in the key.

DIRECTIONS:
1. Click the 'Keys and Opts' button to close the side panel.
2. Click the 'Pause' button in the bottom control bar to stop the simulation.
3. Click the 'Draw Cross-section' button in the bottom bar.
4. On the globe, click and drag a line that goes directly across the mid-ocean ridge.

QUESTION: What process is shown happening in the mantle directly beneath the mid-ocean ridge in the cross-section view?

DIRECTIONS:
1. With the cross-section view still open, click the 'Start' button to resume the simulation.
2. After observing for a minute, click the 'X' in the top right corner of the cross-section panel to close it.

QUESTION: In the cross-section view, ___ from the mantle rises to form a magma chamber, which then erupts to create new ___ crust.

(a)