Plate Tectonics and Earthquakes

by
The Quake Team
KIE Developer

Scientists used to believe the continents were drifting around the ocean like a child on raft in a swimming pool. Now they think the continents and the land around them under the ocean are really large, connected plates that are constantly moving. When these plates move, they can cause earthquakes, volcanoes, and even build mountains.

(THIS IMAGE IS COURTESY OF NASA.)

Read about PLATE TECTONICS by clicking on the following links:

The Plate Tectonic Theory

The Different Types of Plate Motion

Diagram of the Earth's Inner Furnace

From Pangaea to Continents in 225 Million Years

(EACH OF THE LINKS ABOVE BRINGS UP A NEW WINDOW.
AFTER READING EACH PAGE, CLOSE THE WINDOW AND FOLLOW THE NEXT LINK)

Evidence Information

KEYWORDS	earthquakes, plate tectonics, pangaea
SUBMITTER	Philip Bell

Additional Information

METHODS	The evidence appears to be a compiled report of what is known about plate tectonics.
INSPIRATION	This web site was selected because it offers basic background information on plate tectonics.
PROJECTS	Other
GUIDANCE	- What do you think plate tectonics have to do with earthquakes?
COMPREHENSION TIME	5 to 20 minutes
SCIENCE LEVEL	Middle School and Above