The Kids Fun Science Bookstore covers a wide range of earth science topics. Each chapter includes a lesson, quiz and activities about how and where earthquakes occur. Using methods including radio telescopes stationed on different continents and Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites, scientists have measured Earth’s plate motions directly. It explains how mountains form, why crustal plates move and where great earthquakes are likely to occur. Similarities in fossils found on distant continents are strong evidence for plate tectonics. It is primarily made of mafic rocks, rich in iron and magnesium. The plates are like the skin of the planet. The denser oceanic crust of the Nazca Plate is thrust down into the mantle, causing it to melt and produce magma (molten rock). As the plates move, they interact along their boundaries; these interactions depend upon the type of plate movement, as well. The deeper mantle below the asthenosphere is more rigid again. 1–4 centimetres (0.39–1.57 in) per year (Mid-Atlantic Ridge). According to the theory, Earth has a rigid outer layer, known as the lithosphere, which is typically about 60 miles (100 kilometers) thick. The lithosphere is divided into plates, some of which are very large and can be entire continents. Explain that the movement of the plates causes, rifts, mountains, and earthquakes. The area around converging plates at which subduction occurs is called a subduction zone. This is as fast as hair grows. These have granite, with its abundant silica, aluminum, sodium and potassium. On the other hand, no oceanic crust has been found over 200 million years old—because, according to plate tectonics, the denser oceanic crust is subducted, destroyed, and recycled. Continents that fit together like puzzles display how far tectonic plates have moved. The Plate Tectonics learning objective — based on NGSS and state standards — delivers improved student engagement and academic performance in your classroom, as demonstrated by research. The asthenosphere is like a solid or a hot viscous liquid. The causes of plate motions are not completely understood, but a major factor appears to be giant convection cells (churning motions) in the mantle. The rock comprising the upper mantle is cool and rigid.

Illustrate the concept of plate tectonics for kids with this detailed full-color infographic from KIDS DISCOVER. Iceland on the Mid-Atlantic RidgeThe Mid-Atlantic Ridge is a mid-ocean ridge that runs down the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Earthquake zonesSeismologists discovered earthquake zones around large blocks of the Earth's crust.

The modern theory of the motions of Earth’s outer layers is called plate tectonics. It also helps scientists reconstruct ancient climates and continental configurations. Currents of hot material rise while currents of colder material sink, forming roughly circular cells—a common pattern of heat circulation that can also be seen in a pot of boiling water. It now seems that earlier incarnations of Pangea may have occurred, as part of a roughly 400-million-year-cycle of the breakup and reassembly of supercontinents. Plate tectonics is an important idea to grasp in middle school science. Much of what is known about Earth’s internal structure comes from the study of vibrations called seismic waves, which result from earthquakes.

It provides a framework for understanding many of Earth’s features, such as mountains, earthquakes, and volcanoes, as well as the distribution of fossils and the ages of rocks. The plate boundary is where two plates meet. Their oldest rocks seem to be 4 billion years old. Undersea volcanoes and crust expanded by heating produce a long undersea ridge, but with a rift in the middle where the plates are separating. Then, have your kids wash their hands, and hand them a candy bar that has several layers. The magma and gases rise to the surface and are vented through the western crust of South America, forming the volcanoes of the Andes Mountains. They are mostly made of felsic rocks.

The convergence of two continental plates often results in mountain building. As India meets Asia, the collision produces the highest mountain range on Earth—the Himalayas. In this way, the planet’s interior redistributes heat resulting from the decay of long-lived radioactive elements such as uranium. Plate movements along the ridge produce small earthquakes that produce P waves and S waves as basalt lava pours out of fissures on the ocean floor. It is responsible for mountain range formation, oceanic trenches and occurrence of earthquakes and volcanoes among many other geologic phenomena. Below the lithosphere is the asthenosphere. Follow along with this tutorial to learn how to make your very own edible plate tectonics! Shearing: Have the kids move the two halves of the candy bars opposite one another. What moves the Tectonic Plates? It gives us a basic understanding of how our planet is changing. The Kids Fun Science Bookstore covers a wide range of earth science topics. Since Wegener’s time, geologists have developed a better picture of Earth’s internal structure. It also explains why the Pacific Ocean has so many volcanoes, large earthquakes and tsunamis.

Tension: Have the kids pull the ends of their candy bars apart. There are also bunches of minor plates. Plate Tectonics This plate tectonics lesson plan has a collection of many activities for the students to perform. It is also younger than continental crust. Plate tectonics is a theory of geology.It explains movement of the Earth's lithosphere: this is the earth's crust and the upper part of the mantle.The lithosphere is divided into plates, some of which are very large and can be entire continents.. Heat from the mantle is the source of energy driving plate tectonics. Exactly how this works is still a matter of debate. The edges of these plates do not necessarily correspond to the boundaries of continents or oceans. It can flow like a liquid on long time scales. This occurs where plates are diverging, or moving away from each other, at the undersea mountain chains called oceanic ridges, such as the Mid-Oceanic Ridge that runs along the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.