Question

Plate Tectonics Lab Report

Instructions: In the Plate Tectonic lab you will investigate the interactions between continental and oceanic plates at convergent, divergent, and transform boundaries around the globe. Record your observations in the lab report below. You will submit your completed report.
________________________________________
Name and Title:
Include your name, instructor's name, date, and name of lab.
Objective(s):
In your own words, what was the purpose of this lab?

Hypothesis:
In this section, please include the if/then statements you developed during your lab activity for each location on the map. These statements reflect your predicted outcomes for the experiment.
Location One: Select two events that you predict will be observed. If I explore two continental plates at a convergent boundary, then I will observe:
• earthquakes
• faults
• ocean formation
• mountains
• volcanoes
• island chains
• seafloor spreading
Location Two: Select three events that you predict will be observed. If I explore two continental plates at a divergent boundary, then I will observe:
• earthquakes
• faults
• ocean formation
• mountains
• volcanoes
• island chains
• seafloor spreading
Location Three: Select three events that you predict will be observed. If I explore two continental plates at a transform boundary, then I will observe:
• earthquakes
• faults
• ocean formation
• mountains
• volcanoes
• island chains
• seafloor spreading
Location Four: Select two events that you predict will be observed. If I explore two oceanic plates at a convergent boundary, then I will observe:
• earthquakes
• faults
• ocean formation
• mountains
• volcanoes
• island chains
• seafloor spreading
Location Five: Select three events that you predict will be observed. If I explore two oceanic plates at a divergent boundary, then I will observe:
• earthquakes
• faults
• ocean formation
• mountains
• volcanoes
• island chains
• seafloor spreading
Location Six: Select two events that you predict will be observed. If I explore two oceanic plates at a transform boundary, then I will observe:
• earthquakes
• faults
• ocean formation
• mountains
• volcanoes
• island chains
• seafloor spreading


Procedure:
Please be sure to identify the test variable (independent variable), outcome variable (dependent variable), and control group for this experiment.

Test variable (independent variable):

Outcome variable (dependent variable):

Reminder: The test variable is the item that is changing in this investigation. The outcome variable is the item that you are measuring in this investigation. The control group is the group in the experiment where the factors being tested are not applied. It allows scientists to set a baseline to compare the experimental groups that do have factors applied to them.
The procedures are listed in your virtual lab. You do not need to repeat them here.

Data:
Record the data from each location below.
Location Name Boundary Type
(C=Convergent, D=Divergent, or T=Transform) Year Observed
(5, 10, or 20 million years) Geologic Events Observed
(earthquakes, faults, ocean formation, mountains, volcanoes, island chains, seafloor spreading)
Location One
Himalayas 5 Event 1-
20 Event 2-
Location Two
East Africa 5 Event 1-
10 Event 2-
20 Event 3-
Location Three
San Andreas fault zone 5 Event 1-
10 Event 2-
20 Event 3-
Location Four
Aleutian Islands 5 Event 1-
20 Event 2-
Location Five
Mid-Atlantic Ridge 5 Event 1-
10 Event 2-
20 Event 3-
Location Six
Alpine Fault 5 Event 1-
20 Event 2-

Conclusion:
Your conclusion will include a summary of the lab results and an interpretation of the results. Please write in complete sentences.
1. What types of geological events or changes occur at divergent plate boundaries?
2. What types of geological events or changes occur at convergent plate boundaries?
3. What types of geological events or changes occur at transform plate boundaries?
4. Explain how these geological processes and interactions have changed Earth's surface through the years. Be sure to use evidence to support your answer.

Answer 1

The Plate Tectonics lab explores the interactions and geologic events at convergent, divergent, and transform plate boundaries, which are crucial in shaping Earth's surface.

Step-by-step explanation:

Objective of the Plate Tectonics Lab

The purpose of the Plate Tectonics lab is to investigate interactions between continental and oceanic plates at convergent, divergent, and transform boundaries. These interactions are studied to understand the geologic events that occur at different types of plate boundaries and how they have shaped Earth's surface over millions of years.

Hypothesis Predictions

For Location One, at a convergent boundary between two continental plates, it is predicted that earthquakes and mountains will be observed. At Location Two, a divergent boundary between continental plates, earthquakes, faults, and seafloor spreading are expected. For Location Three, at a transform boundary between continental plates, earthquakes and faults are anticipated. In the case of oceanic plates at a convergent boundary (Location Four), earthquakes and island chains may occur. At a divergent boundary between oceanic plates (Location Five), earthquakes, volcanoes, and seafloor spreading can be predicted. Location Six, with oceanic plates at a transform boundary, is expected to showcase earthquakes and faults.

Test and Outcome Variables

Test variable (independent variable): Type of plate boundary (convergent, divergent, transform)

Outcome variable (dependent variable): Geologic events observed (earthquakes, faults, seafloor spreading, etc.)

Conclusion of Plate Tectonics Lab

Divergent boundaries are typically associated with seafloor spreading, earthquakes, and occasional volcanic activity. Convergent boundaries can show a wide array of features including mountain formation, creation of volcanic island arcs, and various earthquake depths. Transform boundaries are characterized by earthquakes occurring as the plates slide past one another.

These tectonic interactions have also caused significant changes to Earth's topography over millions of years, shaping the mountains, oceans, and landforms we see today.