3.03 Plate Tectonics Lab Report

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3.03 Assessment Instructions Video

Instructions: In the Plate Tectonics lab you will investigate the interactions between continental and oceanic plates at convergent, divergent, and transform boundaries around the globe. Record your observations in the lab report below. You will submit your completed report.

Name and Title: (1 pt)

Include your name, instructor’s name, date, and name of lab.

Title of Lab

Student Name

Instructor

Date

Objective(s): (2 pts)

In your own words, what was the purpose of this lab?

Hypothesis: (6 pts)

In this section, please include the if/then statements you developed during your lab activity for each location on the map. These statements reflect your predicted outcomes for the experiment. (You can highlight your answers, delete the non answers, or type them)

Location One: Select two events that you predict will be observed. If I explore two continental plates at a convergent boundary, then I will observe: __________________________

earthquakes

faults

ocean formation

mountains

volcanoes

island chains

seafloor spreading

Location Two: Select three events that you predict will be observed. If I explore two continental plates at a divergent boundary, then I will observe: __________________________

earthquakes

faults

ocean formation

mountains

volcanoes

island chains

seafloor spreading

Location Three: Select three events that you predict will be observed. If I explore two continental plates at a transform boundary, then I will observe: _________________________

earthquakes

faults

ocean formation

mountains

volcanoes

island chains

seafloor spreading

Location Four: Select two events that you predict will be observed. If I explore two oceanic plates at a convergent boundary, then I will observe: __________________________

earthquakes

faults

ocean formation

mountains

volcanoes

island chains

seafloor spreading

Location Five: Select three events that you predict will be observed. If I explore two oceanic plates at a divergent boundary, then I will observe: __________________________

earthquakes

faults

ocean formation

mountains

volcanoes

island chains

seafloor spreading

Location Six: Select two events that you predict will be observed. If I explore two oceanic plates at a transform boundary, then I will observe: __________________________

earthquakes

faults

ocean formation

mountains

volcanoes

island chains

seafloor spreading

Procedure/Variables: (2 pts)

The procedures are listed in your virtual lab. You do not need to repeat them here. Please be sure to identify the test variable (independent variable), outcome variable (dependent variable).

Reminder: Test variable = the item you are changing or manipulating; Outcome variable = the item you are measuring

Test variable (independent variable):

Outcome variable (dependent variable):

Data: (15 pts)

Record the data from each location below.

Location Name Boundary Type

(C=Convergent, D=Divergent, or T=Transform) Year Observed

(5, 10, or 20 million years) Geologic Events Observed

(earthquakes, faults, ocean formation, mountains, volcanoes, island chains, seafloor spreading)

Location One

Himalayas 5 Event 1-

20 Event 2-

Location Two

East Africa 5 Event 1-

10 Event 2-

20 Event 3-

Location Three

San Andreas fault zone 5 Event 1-

10 Event 2-

20 Event 3-

Location Four

Aleutian Islands 5 Event 1-

20 Event 2-

Location Five

Mid-Atlantic Ridge 5 Event 1-

10 Event 2-

20 Event 3-

Location Six

Alpine Fault 5 Event 1-

20 Event 2-

Conclusion: (14 pts)

Your conclusion will include a summary of the lab results and an interpretation of the results. Please write in complete sentences.

What types of geological events or changes occur at divergent plate boundaries?

What types of geological events or changes occur at convergent plate boundaries?

What types of geological events or changes occur at transform plate boundaries?

Explain how these geological processes and interactions have changed Earth’s surface through the years. Be sure to use evidence to support your answer.