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Lesson
3: Plate Tectonics
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Welcome
to the EverestNews.com Lesson plans developed by
Kevin Cherilla (base camp manager of the NFB
2001 Everest Expedition and 7th and 8th grade
physical education teacher from Phoenix, Arizona)
and the staff at EverestNews.com, the largest
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Plate
Tectonics (Click here for a complete overview and
other lessons on plate tectonics.)
Further Reference Microsoft Encarta 99 Find:
Animation Plate Tectonics
Objective:
The student will define plate tectonics. The student
will explain how the Himalaya Mountains were formed.
Guided Practice:
1. Review the location of Nepal. Point out on the map
of Nepal where the Himalaya Mountains are located.
2. Review the layers of the earth (crust, mantle,
core). Compare the earth to either an apple or an egg
with the skin/shell like the crust, the fruit/white
like the mantle, and the seeds/yolk like the core.
3. Read the information on plate tectonics and the
formation of the Himalaya Mountains either orally to
the class or have each student read it independently.
Independent Practice:
1. The students will answer the comprehension
questions that correspond to the reading.
2. The students will locate Kathmandu and Mount
Everest on the map of Nepal. Then color the map using
different colors for the mountain regions. Be sure to
have the students include a map title and a compass
rose.
Optional Extensions:
1. The students will answer the comprehension
questions that correspond to the reading.
2. The student will define: plate tectonics,
continental drift, crust, mantle, and core.
Optional Extensions:
1. Have the students create a map of what the world
looked like before the plates started to move.
2. Have the student create a map of what the world
will look like a million years from now. Have the
student include a paragraph explanation of their map.
3. Have the student research (using the Internet)
fossil discoveries on different continents to see if
there are any similarities.
4. Have the students define the terms lithosphere and
asthenosphere. Then have them compare these terms to
the crust, mantle, and core of the earth.
Reading
and Questions:
The country of Nepal is not only home to eight of the
ten highest mountains in the world, but it is also
home to the youngest mountain range on the earth. The
Himalaya mountain range was formed more than 45
million years ago. Scientists attribute the formation
of these great mountains to the theory of plate
tectonics.
In 1912, a German scientist named Alfred Wegener first
postulated the theory of continental drift. Mr.
Wegener noted after studying the world map that the
continents resemble that of a jigsaw puzzle, and thus
he stated that the world must have been one land mass
at one time. Through extensive study of the earth's
surface and fossil records, geologists have renamed
continental drift to the theory of plate tectonics.
According
to the theory of plate tectonics, the earth is divided
into nine large plates. These plates rest on top of
the molten rock below the surface of the earth (which
can be up to 60-miles deep). Instead of remaining in
the same place, these plates are in constant motion,
either pushed or pulled by the matter below the crust.
Volcanoes, earthquakes, and mountain ranges all occur
due to plate tectonics.
The country of Nepal is located on the Eurasian Plate,
while the country of India is located on the Indian
Plate. The Indian Plate separated from the large
landmass (called Gondwanaland) approximately 60
million years. This plate moved at an approximate rate
of 8 to10 inches a year and began colliding into the
Eurasian Plate. When these two plates collided, the
land started to crumple and rise, causing the Himalaya
mountain range.
The plates are still moving to this day at a rate of
approximately two inches per year! Because of this
movement, many geologists believe that the Himalayan
Mountains are rising as well.
It
should be noted this is a "theory", many
people also believe in "creation" where a
higher power, God, made the planets.
For
lesson 2 &3: AZ
State Standard - 6SC-E5. Explain how earth
processes seen today, including erosion, movement of
lithoshoeric plates, and changes in atmospheric
composition, are similar to those that occurred in the
past.
AZ
State Standard - SS3 E4 Demonstrate understanding of
the characteristics, purposes and use of geographic
tools to located and analyze information about people,
places and environments, with emphasis on:
PO
1 ways to display geographic information and
characteristics and purposes of maps, globes, aerial
photographs, charts and satellite images.
PO
2 constructing and interpreting maps, charts and
geographic databases using geographic information.
PO
3 drawing an accurate map after being given a
description of a place.
PO
4 identifying and locating physical and cultural
features in their own and nearby communities in the
United States, and in regions of the world, and the
relationship between them.
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