Earth's Crust: Geysers, Plate Tectonics, and Volcanoes

Contributor: Victoria Surface. Lesson ID: 10500

Plate tectonics has nothing to do with dishes. It is what makes continents move, creating geysers, mountains, and volcanoes. Learn with fun experiments!

categories

Earth Science

subject
Science
learning style
Auditory, Visual
personality style
Lion, Otter
Grade Level
Intermediate (3-5)
Lesson Type
Dig Deeper

Lesson Plan - Get It!

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  • Have you ever wondered why the planet's surface looks so different from one place to another?

That's because the earth's crust constantly changes and evolves over time. From towering mountains to vast oceans, our planet's surface is shaped by various geological processes that occur beneath the earth's crust.

  • So, what exactly is the earth's crust, and how does it affect our world?

Take a journey of discovery and explore the incredible world of the earth's crust, from the ocean's depths to the tops of the highest peaks. Take a closer look at how the surface of our planet is constantly changing.

There are internal and external forces constantly changing the earth.

  • Internal forces cause changes that happen inside the earth.
  • External forces cause changes that happen outside the earth.

Explore geysers, plate tectonics, and how volcanoes and mountains are formed with the following resources.

As you do, take notes using the Graphic Organizer – Notes, which can be found in the Downloadable Resources in the right-hand sidebar.

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Use the questions below as a guide to note-taking.

  • What effect did the eruption of Mount St. Helen's have on the environment?
  • Where do volcanoes and geysers heat?
  • What is a geyser?
  • The earth's crust is made up of what kind of plates?
  • Where are tectonic plates floating?
  • What do you notice about the continents of the earth?
  • What does Pangaea mean?
  • Where are volcanoes located?
  • Where are mountains located?
  • What do scientists know about the tectonic plates today? What is happening each year?
  • How do scientists study what is underneath the earth's crust?

When you are ready, keep it going in the Got It? section!

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