GEOL 1121L
LAB 7
Plate tectonics
Georgia State University
,Lab 7 – Plate tectonics GEOL 1121 Name
This lab covers the mechanisms of plate tectonics and the resulting landforms and events we
see and feel on Earth’s surface.
At the end of this lab you should be able to:
1) Explain the theory of plate tectonics in your own words
2) Summarize the reasons for different plate boundary interactions and describe the
resulting surface landforms and events.
3) Evaluate where on Earth’s surface we have plate boundaries and describe the processes
happening at these boundaries.
4) Use current landforms on Earth’s surface to classify former plate boundaries.
You should start by watching three videos on iCollege: Wegener and Continental Drift, Sea Floor
Spreading Proof, and Plate Tectonics. The work your way through these questions, referring
back to the videos as needed.
Part 1: Plate Tectonics
1) In the above diagram, arrows denote the direction of movement of the crust and
mantle, with numbers and letters above each boundary between plates. Name each
numbered plate boundary, and what types of plates are involved. (15 pts)
Name of the numbered plate boundary what types of plates are involved
1 Convergent Plate Boundary Oceanic Plate - Oceanic Plate
2 Divergent Plate Boundary Oceanic Plate - Oceanic Plate
3 Convergent Plate Boundary Oceanic Plate - Continental Plate
4 Divergent Plate Boundary Continental Plate - Continental Plate
5 Convergent Plate Boundary Continental Plate - Continental Plate
, Lab 7 – Plate tectonics GEOL 1121 Name
2) Name the lettered bathymetric (sea-floor) features in the figure above that are created
by plate tectonics (2 pts)
A: Oceanic Trench
B: Mid-Ocean Ridge
3) Describe in your own words the following plate boundaries. Where on Earth would you
expect to find an example of each boundary? (6 pts)
Convergent: Two plates colliding with one another, with one eventually sliding beneath the
other. Example: Nazca Plate-South American Plate, results in the Andes.
Divergent: Two tectonic plates moving away from each other, causing rifts and eventually rift
valleys. Example: Mid-Atlantic Ridge.
Transform: Places where tectonic plates move horizontally sideways to each other. Example:
San Andreas Fault
4) Name two ways oceanic crust differs from continental crust? (2 pts)
Oceanic crust is thinner.
Oceanic crust is denser.
5) Thinking back to your igneous rock labs, what two elements might account for these
differences? (2 pts)
Oceanic crust is thinner because it is denser and thus gets subducted beneath the
continental crust.
Oceanic crust is denser because of its basaltic nature.
LAB 7
Plate tectonics
Georgia State University
,Lab 7 – Plate tectonics GEOL 1121 Name
This lab covers the mechanisms of plate tectonics and the resulting landforms and events we
see and feel on Earth’s surface.
At the end of this lab you should be able to:
1) Explain the theory of plate tectonics in your own words
2) Summarize the reasons for different plate boundary interactions and describe the
resulting surface landforms and events.
3) Evaluate where on Earth’s surface we have plate boundaries and describe the processes
happening at these boundaries.
4) Use current landforms on Earth’s surface to classify former plate boundaries.
You should start by watching three videos on iCollege: Wegener and Continental Drift, Sea Floor
Spreading Proof, and Plate Tectonics. The work your way through these questions, referring
back to the videos as needed.
Part 1: Plate Tectonics
1) In the above diagram, arrows denote the direction of movement of the crust and
mantle, with numbers and letters above each boundary between plates. Name each
numbered plate boundary, and what types of plates are involved. (15 pts)
Name of the numbered plate boundary what types of plates are involved
1 Convergent Plate Boundary Oceanic Plate - Oceanic Plate
2 Divergent Plate Boundary Oceanic Plate - Oceanic Plate
3 Convergent Plate Boundary Oceanic Plate - Continental Plate
4 Divergent Plate Boundary Continental Plate - Continental Plate
5 Convergent Plate Boundary Continental Plate - Continental Plate
, Lab 7 – Plate tectonics GEOL 1121 Name
2) Name the lettered bathymetric (sea-floor) features in the figure above that are created
by plate tectonics (2 pts)
A: Oceanic Trench
B: Mid-Ocean Ridge
3) Describe in your own words the following plate boundaries. Where on Earth would you
expect to find an example of each boundary? (6 pts)
Convergent: Two plates colliding with one another, with one eventually sliding beneath the
other. Example: Nazca Plate-South American Plate, results in the Andes.
Divergent: Two tectonic plates moving away from each other, causing rifts and eventually rift
valleys. Example: Mid-Atlantic Ridge.
Transform: Places where tectonic plates move horizontally sideways to each other. Example:
San Andreas Fault
4) Name two ways oceanic crust differs from continental crust? (2 pts)
Oceanic crust is thinner.
Oceanic crust is denser.
5) Thinking back to your igneous rock labs, what two elements might account for these
differences? (2 pts)
Oceanic crust is thinner because it is denser and thus gets subducted beneath the
continental crust.
Oceanic crust is denser because of its basaltic nature.
