Plate Tectonics: Moving Continents

What You'll Learn

Tectonic plates are huge slabs of Earth's crust that float on the mantle. Where plates meet, earthquakes, volcanoes, and mountain building occur.

Key Words

erosion
sediment
igneous

Steps

Step 1 — Read

Study the diagram and label the parts you recognize.

Step 2 — Do

Create a model of the water cycle in a bowl: place warm water in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, put ice on top, and observe condensation and precipitation.

Step 3 — Observe

Use your senses (except taste) to describe what you notice.

Step 4 — Record

Write a summary of your findings in 3-5 sentences.

Check Your Understanding

Question 1

1 of 3

What forms when tectonic plates collide?