ESS2B - Plate Tectonics and Large-Scale System Interactions

Paul Andersen explains the significance of plate tectonics in Earth science, comparing it to fundamental concepts in other sciences. He discusses the evidence supporting the theory, such as earthquake patterns and new rock formations. The video also covers the mechanics of plate movement, driven by mantle convection, and how these movements create various landforms. Andersen concludes with educational strategies for teaching these concepts at different grade levels.

What is the primary reason for the occurrence of earthquakes along plate margins?

• The rotation of the Earth

• The presence of large water bodies

• The sliding of tectonic plates past each other

• The gravitational pull of the moon

What is the lithosphere composed of?

• The core and the mantle

• The crust and the upper mantle

• The oceanic and continental crust

• The atmosphere and the hydrosphere

How do mantle movements contribute to plate tectonics?

• By creating magnetic fields

• By causing the Earth's rotation

• By heating and cooling, leading to plate movement

• By forming new atmospheric layers

What geological feature is formed when two oceanic plates move apart?

• A deep ocean trench

• A mountain range

• A rift valley

• A mid-oceanic ridge

Which of the following is an example of an island arc formation?

• The Hawaiian Islands

• The San Andreas Fault

• The Rocky Mountains

• The Aleutian Islands

What educational tool is suggested for lower elementary students to understand land and water distribution?

• Videos

• Maps

• Experiments

• Textbooks

What evidence supports the theory that South America and Africa were once connected?

• Matching fossil records

• Identical languages

• Shared cultural practices

• Similar climate patterns