Plate Tectonics Essay

Plate Tectonics

Throughout the history, the earth’s geography has changed a lot. Scientists had started focusing on the changes made on earth’s surface between 1900s. The theory which states that Pangaea existed, and it separated through the time of 200 million years is called Theory of Plate Tectonics. This theory is agreeable, because as the Pangaea is mapped, there are some landforms such as deserts, mountains etc., which can be connected. Not only landforms, but fossils of dinosaurs are found in the neighbors surfaces as shown by Pangaea.

The waves of energy travelling through earth’s layers are known as seismic waves. Breaking of rocks inside the earth cause these waves to act, mostly resulting in earth quakes. This is an evidence to prove the theory of plate tectonics true, because earth quakes must have played a vital role in spreading of surface into pieces. There are three main types of seismic waves. Firstly, P-waves are the primary waves, which travel back and forth horizontally. These waves are the first one to come. Then S-waves approach, which travel up and down, and can travel through rocks only. After those two waves, Love-waves reach which travel up, down, back and forth. Seismic waves have a great effect on the earth’s geography change over long periods of time throughout history.

On the surface of earth, there are huge chunks of rocks known as plates, producing different natural landforms when they move. There are two types of plate, continental plate, which is found under the solid land surface. Secondly the oceanic plate comes, which is found under the ocean water surface. Plate boundaries are the huge deformation zones, which are divided into three main types. Convergent boundaries are formed when boundaries move together, in contrast Divergent boundaries are formed when boundaries movie a part from each other. Transform boundaries are formed when two boundaries slide past each other.  Large chunks of rocks form landforms such as volcanoes, trench and ridge.

Fracture in earth’s crust is known as faults. Fault can cause a movement on the point inside the earth known as focus. This movement travels to surface of the earth by seismic waves and the point where the movement begins on the surface of the earth is known as epicenter. There are mainly three types of faults. Normal faults are caused when one side of surface moves downwards. In contrast, Reverse fault is caused when one side of surface moves upwards. Strike-slip fault is caused when both surfaces slide past each other. Faults have contributed evidently in changing the earth’s geography throughout the history.

Earth’s geography has changed throughout the long period of time. The theory of Tectonic Plates is agreeable, because there is a lot of evidence proving it. Beliefs as simple as Global warming support this theory too. Earth wasn’t the same when it was created, because there are signs and historical figures still existing as an evidence of it today. Main topics, such as Seismic waves, Plate boundaries and faults are scientifically tested proofs of the existence of the theory of Plate Tectonics.

Reflection

• What did you enjoy most about this project and why?

I enjoyed making quizzes, because it was in my control. I felt like a teacher, and I knew that it is a big responsibility as well as hard work to make the students the topic that is being taught.

• What was the most challenging for you during this project and why?

      The most challenging thing for me to do in this project was deciding what activities to choose. Another        thing that was hard for me was to manage time, and set a certain time for each activity.                                         

•          What new skills did you learn from doing this project?

I learned that finishing work on time should be our first priority, and I learned that if pictures are involved in a presentation, it attracts the audience more.

• Is there anything you could have done to improve any of your work? Explain.

I could have been more detailed, and focused on the little mistakes I made. Little mistakes took my score from my desirable score to a lower score. I also think I would have proofread my work, or get checked from someone else, to make it better.

• What would you change about this project?

I would change the lab to be more fun and entertaining so it can attract student, not because they would be working with each other, but they would learn something useful and use it in their lives too.