Name: ______Date: ______
Background:The current structure of the ocean floor is primarily a result of plate tectonics. This activity will tie together your understanding of plate tectonics and the ocean floor features.
Section I:Identify the labeled parts in the picture below. Write your answer in the blanks provided. Then,
answer the questions that follow.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.Are there any plate boundaries shown at this location?
F.What type of crust is found under ‘A’ and ‘B’ in the diagram?
G.What type of crust is found under ‘D’?
Section II:Identify the labeled parts in the picture below. Write your answer in the blanks provided. Then
answer the questions that follow.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.What type of plate boundary is found at ‘1’ in the diagram?
6.Are the plates at that boundary moving together or apart?
7.What type of plate boundary is found at ‘3’ in the diagram?
8.Are the plates at that boundary moving together or apart?
9.At which point in the diagram is the rock the oldest?
10.At which point in the diagram is the rock the youngest?
11.What is the geologic process called that is occurring at location ‘3’?
12.Which point or points in the diagram would experience volcanoes and earthquakes?
Section III:Identify the labeled parts in the picture below. Because some features have been labeled in
Sections I and II, label only the features requested. Write your answer in the blanks provided.
Answer the questions and follow the instructions.
1.The diagram below shows plate boundary movement at features ‘1’ and ‘5’. What is the process called that
cause the plates to move at those locations?
2.
3.
4.Because of the plate boundary movement at feature ‘1’, the mountains to the left of it are volcanic. Add information (drawn) to the diagram that indicates how those volcanoes are formed. Describe what you drew and the reason for the geologic activity that you drew. Use complete sentences and formal voice.
Section IV:Label every feature on this ocean floor diagram. You should have a minimum of 12 things labeled! There may be more than one of a couple of features.
Section V: (Optional)
- Construct a small foldable that demonstrates the ocean floor by folding a piece of plain paper in half using the hot dog fold.
- Using a combination of information found in your notes and in the other graphics of the ocean floor in the graphics review section, draw the ocean floor. Your drawing on the front should cover the entire length of the paper. Your drawing must include the following features:
Continental slope, continental shelf, continental rise, abyssal plain, mid-ocean ridge with a rift
valley, seamounts, guyots, islands and a trench
- Cut the top part of the foldable to make flaps for each feature.
- Under each feature write the name of the feature under the flap and on the other side of the fold, describe that feature.
- Add color as desired.