Lab 2 – Plate Tectonics
The study of plate tectonics is the study of the structure of the Earth’s crust and the effects of movement, temperature and other factors on the crust’s behavior and other factors.
https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/legacy/plate-tectonics
Please use both tabs (“crust” and “plate motion”).
In both tabs, you can use the ruler tool to measure distances, the thermometer tool to measure temperatures and different levels and the density tool to measure earth (or water) density at different levels. In the “plate motion” tab, you an use the red lever to cause subduction of one plate under another. You can use the tools to measure the impacts of subduction on density and temperature.
After running the simulation at various inputs, please answer the following 4 questions in 1-2 paragraphs each (note: although you are using this simulation, outside research may also be helpful in answering these questions):
In general, what is the relationship between density of earth and temperature? Explain why.
What effect does increasing the iron composition of crust have on density, temperature or both? Explain why.
How does the density or oceanic crust compare to the density of continental crust? Explain why.
After a subduction event, where would one be likely to see effects on the surface? Explain why.
Please note that your browser needs to run Java for you to use the simulation if your browser is having trouble doing so, it is probably because Java is not enabled or your browser is blocking it. Please see this article:
https://java.com/en/download/help/enable_panel.xml
