T-G-200-Tectonic-Plates-Powerpoint-Presentation_ver_4.ppt
- 2. Success Criteria Aim • Statement 1 Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. • Statement 2 • Sub statement Success Criteria Aim • I can understand how the continents of the world have changed over time. • To know that the Earth’s surface is made up of tectonic plates. • To know that tectonic plates move over millions of years. • To describe how the position of landmasses has changed over time.
- 3. Can you remember the names of the continents? The Continents
- 4. The Continents Can you remember the names of the continents?
- 5. Tectonic Plates • The Earth’s surface is called the crust. • It is made up of different rocky sections called tectonic plates. • This map shows where the plates are. • Tectonic plates can move about on the softer mantle underneath them.
- 6. Tectonic Plates If we could slide South America towards Africa, do you think the two landmasses would fit together like a jigsaw puzzle?
- 7. Continental Drift • In 1910, a German scientist called Alfred Wegener, was the first to study the idea that the continents might have once been a single landmass. • However, it wasn’t until 20 years after Wegener died, that geologists realised he was right. • The continents and ocean floors really do “float” on moving rock plates, and have been drifting for millions of years. Image: Public Domain
- 8. Continental Drift • Alfred Wegener came up with some very convincing evidence to support his idea. • He looked at where different fossils were found and was able to piece the continents back together into one landmass.
- 9. How the Continents Formed • 250 million years ago, all the land on Earth was one large landmass. • Wegener named this landmass Pangaea. Permian Period 250 million years ago
- 10. How the Continents Formed • The moving tectonic plates started to split Pangaea apart. • 200 million years ago, the land was split into two landmasses – Laurasia and Gondwanaland. Triassic Period 200 million years ago
- 11. How the Continents Formed 145 million years ago, the continents we know today were starting to become visible. Jurassic Period 145 million years ago
- 12. How the Continents Formed Which landmasses can you spot on this map of Earth, 65 million years ago? Cretaceous Period 65 million years ago
- 13. How the Continents Formed Over 250 million years, the movement of the plates has created the land masses we recognise today. Present Day
- 14. Are the Plates Still Moving? • The plates move about 1 to 10 cm every year. • Plates can move towards each other, away from each other or rub alongside each other. • Watch this video, which shows a part of Iceland where the North American and Eurasian plates are moving apart.
- 15. 50 Million Years From Now… • South America is moving towards North America. • North America is moving away from Europe. • Australasia is moving towards Asia. Can you imagine what the world will look like in 50 million years time?