Plate Tectonics Puzzle

Learner Outcomes

By completing this exploration activity, the learner will:

• recognize that continents of the western hemisphere "fit" together
• create a model that demonstrates the similarity of the continents
• identify the major tectonic plates
• calculate the rate of divergence for the mid-Atlantic ridge

Materials Needed

• 4 copies of the map provided
• scissors
• four sheets of blue construction paper
• glue

The continents almost resemble the pieces of a huge puzzle. Scientists theorize that the continents were joined together into a single, huge land mass which is called Pangaea. The single, large blue ocean is called Panthalassa about 250 million years ago. This giant continent broke apart into the continents we know today. The continents continue moving causing what scientists call the continental drift. North America and Europe are moving apart at a rate of 1-3 inches a year.

Teacher-lead Class Discussion

• 250 million years ago the ocean is called the Panthalassa. In this part of the activity the blue construction paper represents the Panthalassa. The one continent was called Pangaea.
• 200 million years ago the Pangaea began to separate and break apart creating two new land masses called LAURASIA and GONDWANALAND
• 135 million years ago break up of GONDWANALAND resulting in Africa and South America becoming separate land masses and India moving northeast toward Asia.
• 40 million years ago North America and Europe separated, leaving Greenland behind. India continued to move northeast toward Asia.

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Collaborative Group Activity

Each group will:

1. Cut out the continents on the map sheet.
2. Arrange the continent pieces to represent the four time periods of the continental drift theory.
1. 250 million years ago (mya) - PANGAEA- the pieces should fit together as closely as possible.
2. 200 mya - LAURASIA and GONDWANALAND-Separate the land masses up and down separating the land masses in the northern hemisphere (North America, Europe and Asia) and those in the southern hemisphere..
3. 135 mya - break up of GONDWANALAND -Make a 4 cm separation (right/left) between Africa and South America. Move India 1cm from Africa.
4. 40 mya - Make a 2 cm separation (right/left) between North America and Europe and a 2 cm separation (right/left) between Antarctica and Australia. Examine the "puzzle." It should resemble the world as it is today. Make any necessary changes to make your Earth puzzle as accurate as possible.
3. After the continents are arranged correctly, the students will glue them to the blue construction paper, "the ocean".
4. Each group will share their maps in chronological sequence describing each aspect.

Follow-up

• Explain how matching bands of rock on continents separated by an ocean support the theory of continental drift.
• Explain how fossils of Lystrosaurus can be found in both South America and Antarctica. Does this support or refute the theory of continental drift?