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Reading #1 Plate Tectonics

1. What We Mean by Plate Tectonics.


a. The modern theory of plate tectonics is that the earth has seven large and about 14
smaller plates, which includes the continents, which comprise the outer layer.
These plates are roughly 100km thick and cover thousands of square miles and
are continually moving. The different plates all move in different directions and at
various speeds.
2. Development of a Unifying Theory.
a. The theory of plate tectonics helps in understanding and aids in the theories that
many early explores had about the shapes of certain continents fitting together
like puzzle pieces. The theory is also helped by the presence of earthquakes,
mountain ranges, and volcanoes. The theory of continental drift also helps to
explain for the distribution of fossils and ancient magnetic patterns of certain
rocks.
3. Fossil Records.
a. As discussed in the prior bullet point the theory of there being one continent is
aided by the presence of certain fossils of plants or animals that would be unable
to cross the great oceans are found on multiple continents. Scientist use these
fossils as evidence to added to their theory of continental drift.
4. Paleomagnetism (ancient magnetism).
a. Some rocks are weakly magnetized due to iron-bearing minerals being aligned
parallel to Earths magnetic field when they are being formed. When the rocks
crystallized their magnetic poles where locked into place. Rocks found on
different continents have separate magnetic north. This can only be explained if
they were formed in the same area and then when the continents drifted apart their
magnetic north was thrown off.
5. Ages of Seafloor Rocks.
a. Beginning in the 1950s the sea floor was explored more in depth using updated
technology. It was found the much of the sea floor is made up of ridges of
mountains formed of basalt. Along the top of these ridges were great cracks, or
rift valleys. These rift valleys are places were the earths plates are being pulled
apart.
6. Seafloor Spreading.
a. During the 1960s during increased seafloor exploration it was discovered that the
rocks were older the further away from the rift valley they were located. This can
be explained by magma pouring out as the plates are pulled apart.
7. Convection Cells-Cause of Plate Motion?
a. Although what actually causes the plates to move is still up for debate one
prominent theory is Convection currents or cells. Convection current is evident
when a liquid or gas is heated, becomes less dense and then rises. As it rises it
cools and thus floats back down, thus causing constant movement. This can be
used to explain why the magma under the crust pushes or pulls the plates apart. It
can also be used to explain why there are great trenches on the seafloor. When
one plate which is denser comes butts up to one that is less dense subductions is
the result and thus deep underwater trenches are formed theoretically.
8. Ridge Push and Slab Pull.
a. Ridge push and slab pull are two forces theorized to cause plate movement. When
heat from deep within the mantle rises it causes the oceans lithosphere to expand
thus creating a ridge system. During this process some molten rock forms new
igneous rocks at the ridges and the new lithosphere is now at an inclined position.
Gravity plays a role in by pushing the plate down the new inclined surface,
although many believe that there is not enough force present to move the entire
plate.
9. Plate Boundary Types.
a. Divergent boundary:
i. This is caused when two plates move away from each other; earthquakes
and volcanoes are frequent in this area.
b. Convergent boundary:
i. This is where two plates move towards each other. This is the cause for
mountains ranges.
c. Transform fault boundary:
i. These boundaries have lateral movement along fault lines. This movement
is the major causes of earthquakes; i.e. San Francisco in 1989 and Los
Angeles in 1994.
Reading #2Volcanic eruptions and volcanoes
1. Volcano features
a. Crater
b. Vent
2. Zones of Volcanic Activity
a. Ring of Fire
b. Mediterranean Sea into Asia
c. Iceland south though the Atlantic Ocean
3. Hot Spots and Volcano Formation
a. Direction of plate
b. Extinct Volcanoes
c. Hot Spot
d. Active volcano
4. Impact on Humans
a. Death
5. The five most explosive Volcanic Eruptions in the past 200 years
a. Tambora
b. Krakatoa
c. Novarupta
d. Pinatubo
e. Santa Maria
6. Other relatively recent and Significant Eruptions
a. Mt. St. Helens
b. Eyjafjallajokull
i. In Iceland
7. Volcanic Eruptions-A long-term perspective
Reading #3 Earthquakes
1. Earthquakes what are they
a. Bending
b. Twisting
c. Rubbing
2. Earthquakes: How and where they happen
a. Plate boundaries
i. Fault lines
3. Earthquakes, Rock movement, and faults
a. Compression
b. Horizontal movement
c. Pressure
d. Vertical movement
4. Earthquake Focus and Epicenter
a. Focus (Hypocenter)
b. Seismic waves
c. Surface
5. Detecting Earthquakes
a. Seismograph
6. P, S, and L seismic or Earthquake waves
a. Primary waves
b. Secondary waves
c. Long waves
7. Measuring earthquakes
a. Magnitude
b. TNT
8. Tsunamis
a. Large waves
b. Under water earthquakes.
9. Earthquake damage
a. Earthquake proof buildings and construction
10. Earthquake prediction
a. Cannot be done
Reading #4 Rocks and Minerals
1. Plate tectonics, rocks and minerals
2. Minerals
a. Feldspar
b. Quartz
c. Pyroxenes
d. Amphiboles
e. Mica
f. Garnet
g. Clay
h. Calcite
i. Dolomite
j. Olivine
3. Rocks
a. Sedimentary rocks
b. Metamorphic
Reading #5 Careers in Geology and Geosciences
1. What is Geology
a. Study of earths materials especially rocks and minerals
2. What does a geologist of geo scientist do
a. Geology
b. Geophysics
c. Paleontology
d. Mineralogy
e. Geochemistry
f. Hydrology
g. Oceanography
h. Environmental science
i. Soil science
3. Where do Geologist work
a. Fieldwork
b. Lab work
4. What education is needed
a. Undergraduate
b. Doctorate

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