Plate Tectonics Exploration Questions

In this lesson, students learn to use the Tectonic Explorer tool to create a planet with tectonic plates. They start by designing a simple planet with two to five plates, draw continents, and assign plate movements using force vectors. The lesson covers different types of plate boundaries, such as convergent, divergent, and transform boundaries. Students also learn about plate density and how it affects geological formations like mountain ranges and mid-ocean ridges. The lesson concludes with running the model to observe geological changes and exploring more complex planet configurations.

What is the primary tool used in this lesson to explore plate tectonics?

• Earth Modeler

• Globe Creator

• Plate Simulator

• Tectonic Explorer

How many plates can you initially choose for your planet in the Tectonic Explorer?

• Four to seven

• One to three

• Two to five

• Three to six

What feature allows you to rotate the globe in the Tectonic Explorer?

• Rotate World

• Rotate Camera

• Spin Globe

• Turn View

What happens when two plates move towards each other?

• They form a mountain range

• They form a mid-ocean ridge

• They create a divergent boundary

• They create a transform boundary

What type of boundary is formed when plates move apart?

• Convergent boundary

• Divergent boundary

• Transform boundary

• Static boundary

Which plate is considered less dense in the simulation?

• The plate with more continental mass

• The plate with equal land and ocean mass

• The plate with more oceanic mass

• The plate with less landmass

What geological feature is formed under the sea at a divergent boundary?

• Mid-ocean ridge

• Subduction zone

• Mountain range

• Volcanic island

What can you observe by speeding up the simulation in the Tectonic Explorer?

• Continental drift

• Earthquakes and volcanoes

• Plate labels

• Ocean currents

What additional feature can be turned on to observe volcanic activity?

• Tsunami mode

• Volcano mode

• Eruption mode

• Earthquake mode

What is the benefit of using more plates in the Tectonic Explorer?

• More complex globe

• Faster results

• Less realistic model

• Simpler simulation