Plate tectonics and the ocean floor.
Picture of a blank sea floor spreading model activity cut out.
The center slit represents a mid ocean ridge 2.
Students will use actual data from historic oceanographic cruises to examine sea floor spreading.
Cut two strips of paper the same width as the slit and about a foot long each.
The strips of paper represent oceanic crust or seafloor.
The process that continually adds new material to the ocean floor is seafloor spreading and the continental slope.
Their crystals are pulled into alignment by the earth s magnetic field just like a compass needle is pulled towards magnetic north.
They will also model sea floor spreading at a spreading center such as the mid atlantic ridge.
In recent years satellite images show a very clear mapping of the seabed and are used extensively in the study and exploration of the ocean floor.
A model of seafloor spreading key 1.
Bathymetry the shape of the ocean floor is largely a result of a process called plate tectonics the outer rocky layer of the earth includes about a dozen large sections called tectonic plates that are arranged like a spherical jig saw puzzle floating on top of the earth s hot flowing mantle.
This report describes how to build a model of the outer 300 km 180 miles of the earth that can be used to develop a better understanding of the principal features of plate tectonics including sea floor spreading the pattern of magnetic stripes frozen into the sea floor transform faulting thrust faulting subduction and volcanism.
Students work as individuals.
Lab activity sea floor spreading.
A demonstration of seafloor spreading created by me is included.
Seafloor spreading is the creation of new seafloor or new oceanic crust 5.
The oldest sections should be the sections on both sides furthest from the middle 4.
Most basalt magmas contain abundant molten iron.
This model represents the flow of lava over time due to plate tectonics at mid oceanic ridges seafloor spreading.
As magma starts to harden into rock iron rich minerals solidify first.
The earth does not get bigger.
Sea floor spreading edhelper images e993 com.
Using a shoebox or a small box cut a slit on the bottom down the middle about 3 inches long.
Cut out the labels approximately 1 tall by 1 2 wide.
Please refer to the picture as you build this model.
Activity of the month activity of the month june 2008 plate tectonics and contributions from scientific ocean drilling summary in this activity.
A model of sea floor spreading teacher s guide ellen p.
Seabed contains several hundred years worth of cobalt and nickel.
Model of sea floor spreading observing plate motions and model of sea floor spreading sea floor spreading project answer key lab 4 read modern interiors living room.
