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- Lab Report
-
- The structure of the earth is made up of many layers, but the crust and the
- upper mantle make up the lithosphere. The lithosphere is divided into
- individual sections called plates. The rest of the mantle makes up the
- asthenosphere. Convection in asthenosphere causes the plates to shift and
- move about. We can tell where the plates are or have been because
- volcanoes and earthquakes have their own boundaries when the are active.
- Tectonic plates have three relationships with each other. The have
- convergent boundaries when they collide, divergent boundaries when they
- move apart, and transform boundaries when they slide past each other. The
- friction and heat caused by the plates sliding all over the place causes
- volcanoes if it melts the rock and earthquakes if the plates slip while sliding
- away and towards each other.
- The purpose of this lab was for us to investigate and learn about the three
- different kinds of plates. The model was used just like any model; To help
- us understand the different plates and how they work. The model is a great
- way to help show something which is confusing to tell in words.
- The lab was to construct a model showing the different kinds of boundaries.
- First we needed three worksheets each with a different plate on it, and three
- tacks to hold the plates in place. With scissors we cut out the plates and
- then we stuck the tacks through designated holes. With everything in tact
- you could move the model and see how the three plates slid back and forth
- against each other.
- 1. Along the East Rise, the plates spread farthest apart in the south (apposed
- to the north)
- 2. A convergent plate boundary exists along the Aleutian Islands of Alaska
- and also along the Andes Mountains in South America. Since they are
- convergent boundaries, that means plates around these two areas are
- colliding.
- 3. It would take Los Angeles 19,444,444.44 years to reach the location that
- San Francisco is in now.
- .6 miles = 1km 350miles La to San Fran
- 583.33 km =350 miles
- 583.33/.00003 = 19,444,444.44
- 1cm = .00001km
-
- Although this model was very helpful, it wasn't accurate. First of all, the
- model didn't show all of the plates on the earth. I think it would be
- important to see all of the plates to fully understand the plate tectonic
- theory. The model also doesn't show convection in any way. Convection
- would be important to show in the model because it and the combined force
- of gravity's what really moves the plates of the earth. The model doesn't
- have much identified landscape. There are a couple volcanoes labeled, but
- there has to be more then one mountain range on the earth.