Conceptual Understanding:
Key Question:
How do geological processes give rise to geophysical events of differing type and magnitude?
Key Content:
- Mechanisms of plate movement including internal heating, convection currents, plumes, subduction and rifting at plate margins
- Characteristics of volcanoes (shield, composite and cinder) formed by varying types of volcanic eruption; and associated secondary hazards (pyroclastic flows, lahars, landslides)
- Characteristics of earthquakes (depth of focus, epicentre and wave types) caused by varying types of plate margin movement and human triggers (dam building, resource extraction); and associated secondary hazards (tsunami, landslides, liquefaction)
- Classification of mass movement types according to cause (physical and human), liquidity, speed of onset, duration, extent and frequency
Monday 29 January 2024
Mechanisms of Plate Movement…
In this section, we will take a brief look at plate tectonic theory, structure of the earth as well as subduction and rifting. These are the key processes that shape our planet and are important before we continue with our study of places, power and possibility later.
The godfather of plate tectonic theory is a gentleman called Alfred Wegener. Watch the first video below to find out a little more about him and then download the worksheet below and complete the six tasks set out.
Lesson 1. Mechanisms of Plate Movement (Google Doc)
Wednesday 31 January and Thursday 01 February 2024
You will be completing an independent research task on ONE of the following types of geophysical hazard. Please see which one you have been assigned.
Hazard 1. Volcanoes (Hannah)
Success Criteria:
- Map showing the global pattern of volcanoes with a description outlining the main patterns and trends.
- Diagram showing the anatomy of a volcano with the following terms defined:
- crater
- fissure
- magma chamber
- vent
- layers of ash and lava
- pyroclastic flow
- ash cloud
- Description and picture of the following three types of volcano, including information on shape, characteristics of lava, type of eruption and example.
- Cinder
- Shield
- Composite
- Causes of volcanoes
- Plate boundaries
- Hotspot (magma plume)
- Description and picture of the following three types of volcanic hazards:
- Volcanic landslides
- Lahars
- Pyroclastic flow
You can use the following resources to help you get started.
- Volcano Types
- Volcanic Landslides- Link
- Lahars – Link
- Pyroclastic Flows – Link & excellent science link here
Hazard 2. Earthquakes (David)
Success Criteria:
- Map showing the global pattern of earthquakes with a description outlining the main patterns and trends.
- Diagram showing the anatomy of an earthquake with the following terms defined:
- Focus
- Epicentre
- Faultlines
- Seismic waves
- Diagram showing, and description of, the four different types of waves produced by an earthquake.
- P Waves
- S Waves
- Love Waves
- Raleigh Waves
- Physical causes of earthquakes
- Plate boundaries
- Human causes of earthquakes
- Dam Building
- Quarrying
- Secondary hazards associated with earthquakes (description and how they occur)
- Tsunamis
- Liquefaction
- Landslides
You may use the following resources to help you get started.
- P & S Waves – (Weblink)
- Love and Rayleigh Waves – (Weblink) (scroll down to half way down the page)
- Dam Building and Quakes (PDF)
- France Quake and Quarrying (Weblink)
Hazard 3. Mass Movements (Julia)
Success Criteria:
- Map showing the global landslide potential with a description outlining the main patterns and trends.
- Definition of the 5 different types of mass movement.
- Landslides
- Rockfall
- Mudflows
- Soil creep
- Slumping
- Information about the following criteria for each type of mass movement:
- Cause (physical or human)
- Liquidity
- Speed of onset
- Duration
- Extent
- Frequency.
- Picture/photo of each type of mass movement.
You may use the resources below to help you get started.
Mass Movement (Weblink)