science Homework Oceanography

In this interactive, fun lab, you will learn more about plate boundaries and boundary interactions. You will familiarize yourself with continental and oceanic plates and you will understand plate movements in the geologic past. You will also study the effects of glaciation on our coastlines.

Part 1. Plate Boundary Interactions

Generally speaking, there are three types of plate boundaries. In some cases, a fourth boundary called a plate boundary zonein which the type of plate boundary is not clearly defined is also included. Go to the website and learn about different types of plate boundaries: Understanding plate motions

After you have completely studied the contents, answer the following questions by copying them to a Word document, filling in the answers, and submitting them to your instructor in the assignment dropbox.

1.   Name the three types of plate boundaries.
2.   What is the direction of plate movement relative to one another in a divergent plate boundary?
3.   Name one divergent plate boundary or spreading center and describe its characteristics.
4.   What are the three types of convergent plate boundaries? Describe one in detail.
5.   What are the two types of crusts that are involved in a subduction zone?
6.   What type of convergent boundary characterizes the Himalayan Mountains? What is the age of the Indian plate crust?
7.   What kind of interaction takes place along a transform plate boundary?
8.   Which plates are sliding past each other along the San Andreas Fault?

Part 2. Ice Sheets and Sea Level

Now, go to Ice ages and scroll down to the Ice Ages picture and click on it. Wait a few seconds for it to load, and you will see a short animation. Continue to answer the following questions:

9.   Approximately what percent of the North American continent is covered with ice sheets?
10.  What happens when ice sheets recede?
11.  What is the effect of advancing ice sheets on the sea level?
12.  What is the effect of melting ice on coastlines and islands?

References:

•   Watson, J. M. (2014, September 15). Understanding plate motions. U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Retrieved from http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/dynamic/understanding.html
•   Geoscience Education. (n.d.). Ice ages. Retrieved from http://emvc.geol.ucsb.edu/forteachers/flashmovies/iceages.swf