Process

__**A. Geological Time line:**__ In 1915 Alfred Wegener proposed his theory of Continental Drift. He hypothesized that the continents were slowly drifting around the Earth. At that time he was not able to provide proof of his theory and it was not accepted until the 1950’s when numerous discoveries provided evidence of continental drift.

Your job will be to create a geological timeline showing when scientists think that Pangaea broke up, and when Gondwanaland and Laurasia formed, and when Gondwanaland separated into the continents as they are today.

The links below will help you complete your assignment

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Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pangaea [] []

__B. Plate Tectonic Map:__Your group will be given a plate tectonic map and a specialist research field to study. The three specialist assignments are; oceanography, volcanology, and seismology. Your assignment will be to research your field and transfer the information on your map. For example: oceanographers will mark underwater mountains and trenches, seismologists will mark major earthquakes and volcanologists will mark the locations of volcanoes. Each group will present there findings to the class and combines all the information from each specialty to see how the research evidence is explained by plate tectonic theory.

Seismologists websites: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/ [] []

Oceanographers websites: http://www.kidcrosswords.com/kidoutdoors/where%20to%20go/underwater_mountains.htm http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=[|http://geology.com/records/deepest-part-of-the-ocean.shtml]

Volcanologists websites: [] http://www.mapsofworld.com/major-volcanoes.htm __[]__

__**After you fill in each of your maps,answer the following questions;**__ 1. Where on the earth do most earthquakes occur? Is there any pattern to where earthquakes happen? 2. Is the sea floor flat? How do you know that? What technology has been used to map the sea floor? 3. How are volcanoes formed? Where on the Earth are most volcanoes located? 4. Can plate tectonic theory explain the distribution of earthquakes and volcanoes?

Working in groups, you will be given a plate tectonic jigsaw puzzle (pre-cut) map. You will have 5 minutes to put the pieces together. http://www.tki.org.nz/r/science/science_is/activities/isact_plate_tectonics_02_e.php
 * C. The Puzzle:**

You will answer and discuss the map and questions in your group __**Questions**__ 1. Consider how well the puzzle fits. Notice that the boundaries if the continents and oceans are not all at the edge of land. Could be coincidence? 2. What evidence is there that tectonic plates collide? 3. Has the surface of the Earth always looked as it does today? What evidence is there to support the idea that the appearance of the Earth has changed over time? 4. Why do you think the shape of the coastlines of Africa and South America was not enough to show the continents had been joined?

[|Quiz]