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Stoever, Alward C., Jr.What Happens When Continents Collide? CrustalEvaluation Education Project. Teacher's Guide [and]Student Investigation.National Association of Geology Teachers. .

National Science Foundation, Washington, D.C.CEEP-MOD-NY3-6-2; ISBN-0-89873-058-9;ISBN-0-89873-059-779SED-75-20151 SED-'77-08539; SED-78-25104

NOTE 15p.AVAILABLE FROM Ward's Natural Science Establishment, Inc., P.O. Box

1712, Rochester, NY 14603 (or P.O. Box 1749,Monterey, CA 93940.)

EDRS PRICE MF01 Plus Postage. PC Not Available from EDRS.DESCRIPTORS *Earth Science; *Geology; Instructional Materials;

Oceanography; *Sciencip Activities; *Science CourseImprovemtnt Projects; Science Curriculum; ScienceEducatiori; Science Instruction; Secondary Education;*Secondary School Science; Teaching Guides; TeachingMethods

IDENTIFIERS *Crustal Evolution Education Project; NationalScience Foundation; *Plate Tectonics

ABSTRACTCrustal Evolution Educatidh Project (CEEP) modules

were designed to: (1) provide students with the methods and resultsof continuing investigations-intp the composition, history-T-Affaprocesses 6f the earth's crust and'the application of this knowledgeto man's 'aztivities and (2) to be used by teachers with little or noprevious background in the modern theories of sea-floor spreading,continental drift, and plate tectonics. Each module consists of twobooklets: aiteacher's guide and student investigation. The teacher'sguide contaIns all of the information present in the studentinvestigation booklet astwell as: (1) a general introduction; (2)prei-equisite student background; (3) objectives; (4) list of requiredmaterials; (5) background information; (6) suggested approach; (7)procedure, including number of 45-minute class periods required; (8)summary questions (with answers); (9) extension activities; and (10)

list of refere9ces. TWo class periods are suggested to complete theactivity in this module in which students sketch a labeledcross-section showing stages in the collision of two plates- "containing continental; masses, identify a mountain range resultingfrom continental collision, identify lithospheric.plates on whichcontinents are colliding, and list three kinds\of evidence that somemodern continental masses are in collision. (Alikhor/4k)

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V VtU S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

r4 NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF EDUCATIONEDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION

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CtIThes document has been ,eatoduclid as

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m,no, changes have been made to ,rtIptove

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CRUSTALEVOLUTIONEDUCATION

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What HappensWhen Continents

Collide?

0.

TEACHER'S GUIDE. Catalog No 34W1030

For use with Student Investigation 34W1130Class time: two 45- minute periods

Developed by

THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF GEOLOGY TEACHERS e

DistrWard's Natural Science Establishment, Inc. RochesterProduced

and, NY Montilereluted

byy,' CA

Li

4.

0

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NAGT Crustal Evolution Education ProjectEdward C. Stoever, Jr., Project Director

Welcome to the exciting world of current researchinto the composition history and processes of theearth s crust and the application of this knowledgeto man s activities The earth sciences arecurrently exPenencing a dramatic revolution inour understanding of the way in which the earthworks CEEP modules are designed to bring intothe classroom the methods and results of thesecontinuing investigations The Crustal EvolutionEducation Project began work in 1974 underthe auspices of the National Association ofGeology Teachers CEEP materials have beende,elorped by teams of science educators

aj]sroom teachers and scientists Prior toiftication the materials were field tested by

ti-an 200 teachers and over 12 000 studentsirreht crustal evolution research is a breaking

s',,'; that s'idents are living through today

About CEEP Modules...CEEP modules consist two, booklets a

Teacher s Guide and a Student Investigation The"T"acheir s Guide contains all the informationar-d diustratiors in the Student InvestigationD1_, sections printed In color intended only for theteacher as well as answers to the questions thatare included in the Student InvestigattonIn some modules there are illustrations that ,

appear only in ;he Teacher s Guide and these aredesignated by figure letterS instead of the numbersegi.ence used in the Student Investigation

F'Dr some modules maps rulers and outerconon classroom materials are needed and in

The material was pripaze,d with"thesupport of National Science Foundation',Grant Nos SED 75-26151 SED 77-08539,and SED 7,8-25104 Hpwever, any opinionsfindings conclusions or recommenctationsexpressed herein are those of the author(s)and 00 not necessarily reflect the viewsof NSF

In order to comply with ,L1 S Public Law94-86 every school district in the U S Ausing these materials agrees to makethem available for inspection by parents orguardians of children engaged in.educational programs or projects of thesthool district

Copyri9T 1979 by Southsasi Missouri Stahl Urtistrsity

Teachers and students alike have a uniqueopportunity through CEEP modules to share in theunfolding of these educationally important and_?.xc)ting advances CEEP modules are designedto provide students with appealing firsthandinvestigative experiences with concepts which areat or close to the frontiers of scientific ingiry intoplate tectonics Furthermore. the CEEP modulesare designed to be used by teachers with little orno previous background in the modern theoriesof sea-floor spreading continental drift and platetectonics

We know that you will enjoy using CEEPmodules in your classroom Read on and bePrepared to experience, a renewed enthusiasm forteaching as you learn more about the living earthin 'his "ind other CEEP modules

arpng quantities according to the method ofpresentation Read over the module beforescneduling its use in class and refer to the list ofMATERIALS in me module

Eacn module is indi,:,idual aria self contained in-'Jnte,nt but some are divided into two or more:Darts fOr convenience The rekommended length'if-time for each module is indicated Some modulesrpquire prerequisite knowledge of some aspectsof basic earth science this is noted in theTeacher s Guide

1

What Happens WhenContinents Cpi lide?

INTRODUCTION esmossommosummasointsmissauhissa

The theory of plate tectonics states that earth's .

crustal plates have always been in motion. Platesthat are separating from each other allow lavato well up from the Mantle to rise to the oceanfloor. As the lava coctls, new ocean Crustforms at the mid-ocean mountain range to fill thegap left by the separating plates (See Figure 1 )

Where plates are moving toward each other,there is a problemthe ocean lithosphere must be .destroyed This,happens when the ocean litho-sphere of one plate sinks downward underthe opposing plate. This downward motion of aplate is called subduction. An ocean trench marksthe place where one plate. is subducting underanother. (See Figure 2.)

However, if the subducting platp is carrying a partof a continent, the situation becomes morecomplex Continental crust has a lower densitythan ocean crust Scientists' think that because of.the density difference between the two typesof crust, the continental crust cannot besubducted. Near the border'of the continent areabyssal plain and continental margin sediments.These, too, have low density .How will thesediments and continental rocks on one plate

q behave as they Are drawn together withcontinental rocks of another plate? Has"thishappened in the past' Is it happening today?

4

A

, Figure 1 Magma rises into mid-ocean ridigeAt the same time, plates move apart from each

Figure 2 'One crustal plate subducting underanother

1 .

Fib,Continental crust

I

Illustration key

Oceanic cruet

Upper mantle

Mantle (asthenosphbre)

Earthquake

(lithosphere)

1

BACKGROUND INFORMATIONThe Eurasian Plate was formed by the collision ofseparate European and Asian plates. The UralMountains are the result of this collision about 250million years ago. India was once part of thesouthern supercontinent called Gondwanaland.When Gondwanaland split apart, India begana counterclockwise rotation and northwardmigration. The collision of the Indian and Eurasianplates began about 40 to 60 million years ago.It has caused fold mountain formations andthickening of the continental crust in the areastretching from Afghanistan to southeasternChina. Recent earthquakes in the Hima14yanmountain region and to the nofth show that thecollision process is still active. However,the earthquake pattern is possibly not relatedexclusively to the colliSion process. Research onthis aspect of plate tectonics Is continuing.

SUGGESTED APPROACHStudents can perform this activity individually ifprovided with a pre-assembled continentalcollision device. Alternatively, two students couldeasily assemble the paper strip of the continentalcollision device and do the activity in one labperiod. Ih'this case, for safety reasons, providestudents with cardboard in which the subductionslit has already been cut and widened. Studentscan tape the stationary block of furring stripto the cardboard base.

If more than one class is to tise,the device, thenask each student or team to carefully disassemblethe device when finished with it.

54

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3

BACKGROUND INFORMATIONThe Eurasian Plate was formed by the collision ofseparate European and Asian plates. The UralMountains are the result of this collision about 250million years ago. India was once part of thesouthern supercontinent called Gondwanaland.When Gondwanaland split apart, India begana counterclockwise rotation and northwardmigration. The collision of the Indian and Eurasianplates began about 40 to 60 million years ago.It has caused fold mountain formations andthickening of the continental cruis,t in the areastretching. from Afghanistan to southeasternChina. Recent earthquakes in the Himalayanmountain region and to the noPth 'show that thecollision process is still active. However,the earthquake pattern is possibly not relatedexclusively to the colliSion process. Research onthis aspect of plate tectonics is continuing.

SUGGESTED APPROACHStudents can perform this activity individually ifprovided with a pre-assembled continentalcollision device. Alternatively, two students couldeasily assemble the paper strip of the continentalcollision device and do the activity in one labperiod. in'this case, for safety reasons, providestudents with cardboard in which the subductionslit has already been cut and widened. Studentscan tape the stationary block of furring stripto the cardboard base.

If more than one class is to Lise,the device, thenask each student or team to carefully disassemblethe device when finished with it.

ti

"Pr

(1U

1

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3

PROCEDURE

In this activity students learn to simulate the colli-sion of continental lithosphere resulting fromplate motions.Key words: noneTime required: two 45-minute periodsMaterial: one continental collision device

1. Figure 3 shows the continental collision deviceOn Figure 3 label the wooden furring strips"continental crust." Label the slit "marginaltrench Label the paper stnp "oceanic crust andlithosphere Label the colored napkin ',oceanicsediments" and the white napkin "continental*margin sediments

Furring stop

4,

2. Use one hand to grasp the end of the strip ofpaper that extends through the slit in the fr

cardboard of the continental collision device.Slowly pull the strip of paper downward. Tryto pullevenly so the paper strip doesn't shift fromside to side Stpp pulling when the moving blockhas traveled as far A it will go.

Coio:eid ^ap4Ki^

Papervr.,o

ro/

End of pacer strip

Figure 3. Continental collision device ready for use

4

In the space below, write sentences that tell whathappened to the simulated ocean sedimentsand continental margin sediments.At first, the-ocean sediments moved toward thestationary continent without being disturbed..Then, the sediments hit against the stationarycontinent and began to form into fold mountains.After that, the continental margin sedimentsbegan to form into fold mountains.In thespace below, sketch a cross-section of

. the model to show.the final arrangement ofcontinental blocks and sediments Label the type

. of mountains formed by the motion of simulatedsedime'rits between the two continental blocks. Onyour diagram make asterisks ( *) to show whereearthquakes might occur during a combinedsubduction and collision pr6cess on the real earthStudent sketches will not be as detailed asexample shown below, but the crumpled condi-tion of the napkins should be apparent intheir diagrams.

4

1

I

3. In the space below, tell what might happenif the simulated continentaloblocks were made ofclay instead of wood.The blocks would also change shape throughfolding and faulting because of. the collision.4. Study the topography of the Indian Plate andadjacent countries of the Eurasian Plate on thephysical map of the ocean floor In the spacebelow, describe how the topography of thatarea is similar to that simulated on yourcontinental collision deviceThe India landmass is relatively Hat except forthe northern region. There, the Himalayijiloun-tains have been formed by the collision SiIndia with Asia.5. Pull the moving block and paper strip back totheir original positions Slide the bobby pins alongthe paper strip to return the napkins to theiroriginal positions

* c .a.-N40

Figure A. Side view of continental collision device after pulling strip of paper.

I

8

ci

5

SUMMARY QUESTIONS1. How does the theory of plate tectonics explaincontinental collisions?Olen a lithospheric plate carrying a continentis subducted under another plate with a continentnear its edge, then, the two continents mayeventually collide.

2. What happens to ocean and continentaltnargin sedimentsflying between the moving'continental blocks?Such sediments are compressed to form foldmountains. (Faults usually occur also, but theycannot be simulVed by the continental collisiondevice.y

A3. Bas4d on results from the continental collision.simulation, describe three kinds of evidencethat might prove two continental masses weremoving together:

a earthquakes (where?)Along theiborders of the two continents andalong the subducting oceanic lithosphere.'

b sedimentary rocks (where in relation tocontinental masses? What kind?)Folded sedimentary rocks between the twocontinental masses should show evidence of oceansediments and continental margin sediments.

c kind of topographyFold mountains.

EXTENSION _

Refer to a diagram that shows hOw'the continentswere Joined to form the supercontinent PangaeaNow study the physiographic diagram of theocean floor to see where mountains might haveformed when these continents first cametogether to form Pangaea List the names of thesemountains.Students will discover that such mountain rangesas the Atlas of North Africa, the Alps of southernEurope and the Appalachians of the easternUnited States are the results of early continentalcollisions.

REFERENCESMatthews, S.W , 1973, This changing earth

National Geographic, v. 143, no. 1 (Jan.),p. 1-37.

Molnar, P and Tapr3onier, P., 1977, The collisionbetween India and Eurasia. Scientific American,vi 236, no. 4 (Apr.), p 30-41.

6

9

NAGT Crustal Evolution,Education Project ModulesCEEP Modules are listed here in alphabetical.order Each Module is designed for use inthe number of class periods indicated. Forsuggested sequences of CEEP Modules toever specific topics and for correlationof CEEP Modules to standard earth sciencetextbooks, consult Ward's descriptive

=literature on CEEP ThO Catalog Numbersshown here refer to the CLASS PACKof each Module consisting of a Teacher'sGuide and 30 copies of the StudentInvestigation See Ward's descriptive

. literature for alternate order quantities

r;nbright 1979 Except for the rights torhaer als reserved by others thep.ini,she, and the copyright owner herebyTart: permission without charge todomestic persons of the U S and Canadafor .ise of this Work and related materials.r-t the English language in the U S andCanada after 1985 For conditions of useand permission to use the Work or any partthereof for foreign publications orpublications inpther than the Englishlanguage appry to the copyright owner orpublisher

CEEP Module'Class CLASS PACK

Periods Catalog No.

A Sea-floor Mystery: Mapping 3 34 W 1201Polarity Reversals

Continents And Ocean Basins: 3-5 34 W 1202Floaters And Sinkers

Crustal Movement: A Major Force 2-3 34 W 1203In Evolution

' Deep Sea Trenches And Radioactive 1 34 W 1204Waste

Drifting Continents And Magnetic 3 34 W 1205Fields

Drifting Continents And Wandering 4 34 W 1206Poles

Earthquakes And Plate 2 34 W 1207Boundaries

Fossils As Clues ToAncient 223 34 W 1208Continents

Hot Spots In The Earth's Crust 3 34 W11/ How Do Continents Split Apart? 2 34 W

How Do Scientists Decide Which Is '02 34 WThe Better Theory?

1209121012111

How Doer Heat Flow Vary In The 2 34 W 1212Ocean Floor?

How Fast Is The Ocean FloorMoving?

Iceland: The Case Of The SplittingPersonality

Imaginary Continents: A Geological 2Puzzle

Introduction To LithosphertcPlate Boundaries

Lithospheric,Plates And Ocean 2

Basin TopographyLocating Active Plate Boundaries 2-3 34 W 1218

By arthquake DataMeasuring Continental Drift: The 2 34 W 1219

Laser Ranging ExperimentMicrofossils, Sediments And 4 34 W 1220

Sea-floor SpreadingMovement Of The Pacific Ocean 2 34 W 1221

FloorPlate Boundaries And Earthquake t 2 34 W 1222

PredictionsPlotting The Shape Of The Ocean 2-3, 34 W 1223

) FloorQuake Estate (board game) ' 3 34 W 1224Spreading Sea Floors And Fractured 2 34 W 1225

RidgesThe Rise And Fall Of The Bering 2 34 W 1227

Land BridgeTropics In Antarctica?Volcanoes: Where And Why?What Happens When Continents

Collide?When A Piece Of A Confiner 2 34 W 1231

Breaks OffWhich Wks North? 3 34 W 1232Why Does Sea Level Change? 2-3 34 W 1233

2-3 34 W 12't3

3 34 W 1214

34 W 1215

34 W 1216

34 W 1217

2 34 W 12282 34 W 12292 34 W 1230

IA

*4.

3

J

UMIRIG

.e

Ward's Natural Science Establishment, Inc.P.O. Box 1712; Rochester, New York (4803 P.O. Box 1749,.Monterey, California 93940

11CUP MODULE NO. NY3 6-2166N: 0-66173-056-9

so'

A

CRU'STALEVOLUTION

EDUCATIONPROJECT

t*AME DATE

Student InvestigationCatalog No 34W1130

What Happens When .

Continents Collide?

INTRODUCTION _ -7:-. .

The theory of plate tectonics states that earth'scrustal plates have always been in motion. Platestha/ are separating from each other allow lavato well up from the mantle to rise to the oceanfloor As the lava coots, new ocean crustforms at-the mid-ocean mountain range to fill thegap left by the separating plates (See Figure 1 )

Where plates are moving toward each other,there is a problemthe ocean 4thosphere must bedestroyed This happens when the ocean.litho-sphere.of ane plate sinks downward underthe opposing plate This downward motion of aplate is called subduction An ocean trench marks'the placemliere one plate issubdudting underanother (See-Figure 2)

However, if the subducting plate is carrying a partof a continent, the situation becomes' more,complex Continental crust has a lower densitythan oceae crust. Scientists think that becausigif .the density difference between the two typelof crust, the continental crust cannot besubducted., Near the border of the continent areabyssal plain and continental margin sediments ,

These, tvio, have low density How will thesedimentNand continental rocks on one platebehave as they are drawn together withcontinental rocks of another plate? Has thishappened in the past? Is it happening todajo

Continental crust

Oceanic crust (lithosphere)

'Upper maile

Mantle (asthenosphere)

Earthquake

Illustration key

Copyright 1979 by Southeast. Missouri State University

a

.44

AFigure 1 Magma rises upward into mid-oceairidge Plates move apart from each other,

Figure 3. One croistal plate subducting urider,another. ,

4- 1

OBJECTIVESAfter ybu have completed this actiV,11 y, you shouldbe able to-1. Sketch a labeled cross-section showing stagesin the collision of two plates containingcontinental masses. . .

2. Identify at least one.mountain range that hasresulted from collision of continents..3. Identify lithospfleenc plates on whichcontinents'are colliding4. List at least three kinds of evidende that sginemodern continental masses are in cQllision,

PROCEDUREIilaterial. one continental 'collision device

1. Figure 3 shows the continental collision deviceOn Figure 3 label the wooden furring strips"continental crust Label the slit "marginal,trench "'Label the paper strip "oceanic crust andlithosphere Label the colored napkin "oceanicsediments" and the white napkin "continentalriiiargin sediments

/

Furring strip

I"F

2. Use one hand to grasp the end of the strip ofpaper that extends through the slit in thecardboard of the continental collision deviceSlowly pull the strip of paper downward Tryto pull eyenly so the'paper strip doesn't shift frorilside to side Stop pulling when the mov!ng block

far as it will go

White napkin

Colored napkin

Paper strip

411

Tape/

4

Bobby pin§

Slit in cardboard

Figure 3. Continefttal collision device.seattV for use

2

End of par strip

l3

Pull

fir

In the..spacebelow, write sentences that tell whathappened tb the simulated ocean sedimentsand continental margin sediments.

s'

In th4 space below, sketch a cross-section ofthe rciodel to show the final arrangement ofcontinental blocAs and sediments. Label the typeof mountainsl formed by the motion of simulatedsediments between the two contineRtal blocks Ort.your diagram make asterisks (*) to show whereearthquakes might ocrii3 during a combinedsubductiorrand collision process on the real earth

e&

a 4

3. In the space below, tell what might happenif the simulated continental blocks were made ofclay instead of wood

4. Stu4 the top'ography of the Indian Plate arid. adjacent countries of the Eurasi Plate on the

physical map of the ocean floor In the spacebelow, describe how the topography of that,area is similar to that simulated pn yourcontinental collision device

5. Pull the moving block and paper strip back totheir original positions. Slide the bobby pins alongthe paper strip to return the napkins to theiroriginal position.s

I

SUMMARY QUESTIONS1. How does the theory of plate tectonics explaincontinental collisions?

MrJ

2. What happens to ocean and continentalmargin sediments lying between the movingcontinental blocks?

EXTENSIONRefer to a diagram that showt how,the continentswere joined to form the supercontinent PangaeaNow study the physiographic diagram of theocean floor to we where mountains might haveformed whe these continents first cametogether to form Pangaea List,the names of thesemountains .

REFEkENCE''.Molnar, P and Tappdnier, P , 1977, The collision

between India and Eurasia Scientific American,v 236, no 4 (Apr ), p 30-41

3. Based on results from the continental collisionsimulation, desCribe three kinds of evidencethat might prove two continental 'masses weremoving together

a earthquakes (where?)

b sedimentary rocks (where in relation tocontmental masses? What kind?)

c kind of topography.,

Developed y

THE NAMNAL ASSOCIATION OF GEOLOGY TEACHERS

The' material was prepared with the support ofNational Science Foundation Grant Nos SED75-20151 SED 77-08539 and SED 78-25104However any opinions findingS concluwons orrecommendations expressed herein are those of the,authorisi and do not necessarily reflect the viewsof NSF

MORINWard's Natural Science Establishtmcnt, Inc.

In order to comply with U S Public Law 94-86 everyschool district in the U S A using these materials'agrees to make them available for inspection byparents or guardians of children engaged ineducational programs or projects of the school district

Copyright 1979 Exce'Ot for the rights to materialsreserved by others the publisher and thk copyrightOwner hereby grant permission without chargeto domestic persons of the U Svend Canada foruse of this Work and related materials in theEnglish language in the U S and Canada after 1985For conditions of use and permission to use the WorkOr any part thereof for foreign publications orpublications in other than the English languageapply to the copyright owner or publisher

Rochester, NY Monterey, CA

15

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4.

ISBN: 0-89873-059-7PrIntedlh U S A

I,