Question

1. click on the yellow \finish\ button at the bottom right. let the simulation run for approximately 30 seconds until your screen looks similar to the one pictured to the right. then click the \pause\ button.

a. write down two changes that have occurred on earths surface since starting the simulation.

1. click on the \keys and options\ button in the upper right corner. then, click on the orange \options\ tab. within that tab, select the option for \plate boundaries\.

a. what does selecting this option do?

1. select

otate planet\ at the top middle of the screen. use your mouse to rotate the planet to track the plate boundaries.
a. how do plate movements compare on one side of the world to the other opposite side?
b. based on what you learned about yesterday, what process will most likely occur at the plate boundaries on the opposite side of the world from where the plates originally separated from each other? include the name of the process as well as a brief summary of what happens during that process. use the image to the right to support your answer.

1. press the \play\ button again and let the simulation run for another 30 seconds.
2. unselect the \plate boundaries\ option. then, click on the green \map type\ option in the upper right corner. use the arrows to select the \crust age\ type of map from the options in the middle bottom.
3. click \play\ and let the simulation run until you see a dark purple color appear.

a. what is the difference between yellow, pink and purple?
b. what pattern do you notice in crustal rock ages at the plate boundary where the plates are moving away from each other?

Explanation:

9a. Possible changes could include formation of new land - masses or appearance of volcanic activity as the simulation likely models plate tectonics.
10a. Selecting "Plate Boundaries" likely highlights the edges where tectonic plates meet, showing different types of boundaries (divergent, convergent, transform).
11a. Plate movements can vary in speed and direction on opposite sides of the world. Some sides may have more active spreading while others have subduction.
11b. If plates originally separated on one side, on the opposite side subduction is likely to occur. In subduction, one tectonic plate moves under another, often leading to volcanic activity and mountain - building.
14a. In a crust age map, yellow, pink and purple likely represent different ages of the Earth's crust, with purple being the oldest (as per the instruction to run until dark purple appears), yellow might be the youngest, and pink in between.
14b. At a divergent plate boundary (where plates move away from each other), the pattern noticed is that the crustal rock ages increase as you move away from the mid - ocean ridge (the boundary itself), with the youngest rocks at the ridge and older rocks further out.

Answer:

9a. Formation of new land features; appearance of volcanic activity.
10a. Highlights the edges of tectonic plates showing different boundary types.
11a. Speeds and directions may vary; one side may have more spreading, other subduction.
11b. Subduction; one plate moves under another causing volcanic activity and mountain - building.
14a. Represent different crust ages with purple being the oldest, yellow the youngest (approximate).
14b. Crustal rock ages increase as you move away from the plate boundary.