In one sense or another, we are all Living on an Island. The continents are buoyant rock masses that are floating in the Earth’s mantle-asthenosphere and surrounded by water at the surface. Earth’s surface is in constant motion and the ocean basins are continually evolving. The image of the Red Sea on this page is an example of some of the most recent change—an ocean basin is forming! We’re going to spend Lesson 2 exploring the Origin of the Ocean Basins and learning about how Sea Floor Morphology relates to the processes that have shaped the current ocean geometry. As I suspect you know, this all starts with Plate Tectonics and Sea Floor Spreading.
By the end of this lesson you should have a deeper understanding of: plate geometry and kinematics, the role of earthquakes, hot spots and how they relate to volcanic edifices, and continental margins. One of the things to think about this week is how you might develop a teaching module on Plate Tectonics.
By the end of Lesson 2, you should be able to:
The chart below provides an overview of the requirements for Lesson 2. For assignment details, refer to the lesson page noted. Due dates are listed in this table and in Canvas.
REQUIREMENT | LOCATION | SUBMITTED FOR GRADING? |
---|---|---|
Activity 1: In five easy parts... | see "activity 1" in lesson 2 menu | Yes - You should put a file with your answers in the Canvas dropbox, due June 16th |
Activity 2: Make map images and comment in a discussion forum. | see "activity 2" in lesson 2 menu | Yes- You should put a file with your answers and comments in the Canvas dropbox |
Activity 3: Hotspots, background reading and discussion | see "activity 3" in lesson 2 menu | Yes- Discussion responses will be graded. |
If you have any questions, please post them to our Questions? discussion forum (not e-mail), located in the Discussions menu in Canvas. I will check that discussion forum daily to respond. While you are there, feel free to post your own responses if you, too, are able to help out a classmate.