This map shows the continents as they appear today. I copied the maps onto transparencies and created a lab where students ultimately overlaid the transparencies to compare and contrast the locations of earthquakes, volcanoes, and plate boundaries. Alfred wegeners fossil evidence for continental drift is shown on the cutouts. Preliminary integrated geologic map databases for the united states western states. How has the surface of our planet changed over time. Earthquakes and volcanoes worksheet teachers pay teachers. A plate tectonic puzzle introduction the earths crust is not a solid shell. Pangea continent map continental drift supercontinent. The students will then answer questions based on this activity and fill out the analyzing evidence worksheet with statements about continental drift.
They all existed as a single continent called pangea. In this continental drift lesson, students examine a worksheet which uses the world continents as puzzle pieces to create the single land called pangea. Usgs, menlo park, california, a specialist in terrane analysis, likens such movement of continents as the plates join and separate again and again throughout the earths history to the motion of lithospheric bumper cars. North america australia eurasia africa south america greenland the world today this map shows the continents as they appear today. With their unique skills and perspective, only geologists have the tools necessary to delve into the distant past long before instrumental records were collected in order to better understand global environmental conditions that. This worksheet helps students understanding of plate tectonics and how plates interact with one another at their boundaries. Using selected frame sheets figure 2, have students color the land mass identified. The theory of plate tectonics was debated for decades. This lesson uses a plate tectonic puzzle developed by ross stein and chuck wicks of the u. The lithosphere is divided into about a dozen large plates which move and interact with one another to create earthquakes, mountain ranges, volcanic activity, ocean. It is made up of thick, interconnecting pieces called tectonic plates that fit together like a puzzle. The continents will match up to the original supercontinent pangaea. Exploring usgs groundwater datasets the following walk through exercise provides a sample project for you to explore the usgs online database for groundwater use in the us.
Students will use the front of the worksheet as a reading selection and study guide and on the back is a practice to test their understanding. Putting these two words together, we get the term plate tectonics, which refers to how the earths surface is built of plates. Voyage through time a plate tectonics page 4 of 16 extension activities. The theory of plate tectonics activity worksheet example answers 3 volcanoes volcanoes occur along hot zones at plate boundaries underground volcanoes are seamounts a line of seafloor volcanoes indicates the direction a tectonic plate is moving 8. And so not only does it look like the continents fit together in a puzzle piece, not only do we get it to a configuration like this if we essentially just rewind to the. This worksheet helps students understanding of plate tectonics and how. On the analyzing evidence worksheet, read the statement in each box and check whether the statement is evidence or not in the left columns, and whether it supports the movements of the continents in the right columns. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times. Plan your 60minute lesson in science or science skills with helpful tips from deborah gaff. Pangea first began to be torn apart when a threepronged fissure grew between africa, south america, and north america. The students will move the continents together using the mountain chain and fossil evidence. Geological survey usgs and the smithsonian institution produced the third edition of this dynamic planet. Geological survey, map distribution, federal center, po box 25286, denver, co 80225, 1888 askusgs.
In geologic terms, a plate is a large, rigid slab of solid rock. There were a number of prepangaea supercontinents, although the evidence becomes more. They move atop the underlying mantle, a really thick layer of hot flowing rock. The scientists of the usgs study the landscape, natural. Which statement represents the most logical conclusion to draw from this evidence. Continental drift activity contributor sepup and usgs unknown creator type category instructional materials types model, activity, map note this resource, vetted by nsta curators, is provided to teachers along with suggested modifications to make it more in line with the vision of the ngss. Eurasia, north america, south america, africa, antarctica, australia and india. Most of the continental land masses lie above sea level, but the true edges of the continents are not at the. A world map of volcanoes, earthquakes, and plate tectonics. Students studying geology in grade 6 will investigate how earths surface is formed, describe processes that change earth, and explain the physical effects of these processes. This supercontinent was made up of all the major continents. Reading comprehension worksheets, science worksheets.
This worksheet was made simpler for 6th grade level learners and the students will not only find the rate of ocean floor. Voyage through time a plate tectonics page 2 of 16 procedure. The earths plates here are a few nice usgs maps that might be useful. You will be piecing together a puzzle of the supercontinent pangea based on fossil and rock evidence on the present day continents. Puzzle of the plates grades 56 physical science plates, as well as the unique tectonic conditions at the san andreas fault. Tectonic plates jigsaw puzzle 1 tectonic plates jigsaw puzzle instructions for teachers 1. Continental drift activity packet name instructions. You will be piecing together a puzzle of the supercontinent pangea based on. Distribute scissors, a glue stick and the student worksheet. What clues are provided to show that the surface of our planet has changed. Continue to identify and color pangea on subsequent frames until the continents are completely separated f15. On the puzzle pieces handout, assign a color to each type of fossil or. Fossil evidence of the early mesozoic, landdwelling reptile lystrosaurus.
Fossil and mountain chain evidence worksheet answers. Pangea important people plate tectonics questions fossils continents scientists now believe that about 250 million years ago, a supercontinent known as pangea existed. In addition, their anatomy suggests that these animals were probably very poor swimmers. The word tectonics comes from the greek root to build. Is wegeners evidence compelling enough to convince you that the continents have moved over time. This includes all of the worksheets in both pdf and doc format. Howell usgs, menlo park, california, a specialist in terrane analysis, likens such movement of continents as the plates join and separate again and again throughout the earths history to the motion of lithospheric bumper cars. The booklet highlights some of the people and discoveries that advanced the development of the theory and traces its progress since its proposal. Improve your students reading comprehension with readworks. Cut out each of the continents along the edge of the continental shelf the outermost dark line. Pangaea puzzle to each student, and ask students if they think earths continents were ever joined together. Plate tectonics is the study of the lithosphere, the outer portion of the earth consisting of the crust and part of the upper mantle. Use acrobat guide to plate tectonics and earthquakes reader. A plate tectonic puzzle american museum of natural history.
From about 280230 million years ago late paleozoic era until the late triassic, the continent we now know as north america was continuous with africa, south america, and europe. Students explore world geography by identifying the continents on earth. Like its two previous editions 1989 and 1994, this mapthe alltime bestselling map of the usgs remains exceptionally popular and widely. Most of the continental land masses lie above sea level, but the true edges of. The worksheet has pictureword choices to fill in the blanks with. This reading comprehension worksheet teaches students about volcanoes, then asks them questions about what they just read. Like its two previous editions 1989 and 1994, this mapthe alltime bestselling map of the usgsremains exceptionally popular and widely. The united states geological survey usgs is a scientific agency of the united states government.
Use acrobat reader to view this pdf with active inks. Geological survey usgs researchers are at the forefront of paleoclimate research, the study of past climates. Browse earthquakes and volcanoes worksheet resources on teachers pay teachers, a marketplace trusted by millions of teachers for original educational resources. I created these for use in my middle school selfcontained classroom. Pangea earth science activities, earth, space science. There is a quiz over volcanoes, a quiz over earthquakes, and a fill in the blank worksheet over the earthquakes story in the unique news2you library. Set of directions and questions for exploring the portions of the united states geologic survey website that deal with earthquakes and volcanoes.
The theory of plate tectonics states that the earths outermost layer is fragmented into a dozen or more large and small plates that are moving. Methods used to create several styles for lithology or geologic time. Usgs world map and pangaea puzzle science with mrs. On the puzzle pieces handout, assign a color to each type of fossil or mountain belt in the legend and color the areas on the landmasses. The making of pangea is the result of largescale amalgamation of continents and microcontinents, which started at the end of the neoproterozoic with the formation of gondwana.
Before the breakup of pangaea this dynamic earth, usgs. Subduction processes during plate convergence result in the formation of volcanoes. Use pangaea puzzle to illustrate how the plates of the superconti nent separated. When you have assembled pangea based on the fossil and rock locations, glue the continents onto your construction paper in the shape of the supercontinent.
Social studies and science students can learn about pangea, an important theory about the formation of the earth and its continents. A3 size is recommended as the puzzle is big enough to cut out relatively easily and will still fit on a student desk. Answer the following questions on a separate sheet of paper, twocolumn style. Lesson pangaea wegeners puzzling evidence betterlesson. Here are a few nice usgs maps that might be useful. Plate tectonics and earthquakes the distribution and properties of plates and the motions at different kinds of. A teaching companion wegeners puzzling continental drift evidence u. Zusgs fossil and mountain chain evidence directions. On the puzzle pieces handout, assign a color to each type of fossil or mountain belt in.
I make these ahead of time to save time in class and i can reuse them for each class. Continental drift activity national science teachers. During this activity, students will use fossil and geographic evidence to prove or disprove wegeners theory. Presentday continents are fragments of a supercontinent pangaea that broke up about 225 million years. Geological survey usgs and the smithsonian institution. In wegeners mind, the drifting of continents after the breakup of pangaea explained not only the matching. Access thousands of highquality, free k12 articles, and create online assignments with them for your students. California, nevada, arizona, washington, oregon, idaho, and utah. The corresponding worksheet is based on a handout created by another teacher, mrs. When you have assembled pangea based on the fossil and rock locations, glue the continents onto your construction paper in the shape of. Free download re s o u r c e s fe at u r e d in t h e plate te c t o nci po w e r poni t. To view the breakup of the supercontinent pangea over the past 190 million. Print the jigsaw puzzle pages, at either a4 or a3 size, in colour and singlesided. Continental crust oceanic crust oceanic crust alaska.
116 688 164 870 520 1201 1319 32 447 1131 746 150 290 717 1027 1086 303 333 31 626 22 464 263 1073 1491 860 272 93 1048 892 99 1311 231 129 646 24 355 364 1183 1437 706 374 221 547