Tectonic+Impacts

= Tectonic Impacts = Throughout the history of the Earth, the movement of plates has resulted in continual global environmental change. This unit allows students to examine the scale of change by gathering and analysing information that indicates past tectonic activity and by considering the effects of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Current research suggests that throughout Earth history, global tectonics has followed a cyclic pattern resulting in the formation and breakup of supercontinents. The processes of continental agglomeration and sea floor spreading have resulted in the development of mountain belts characterised by distinctive lithologies and geological structures. Interpretation of the broad geological patterns on the Australian continent indicate how Australia has evolved. On a smaller time scale, the impacts of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions that have occurred in the recorded history of humans provide insight into the slow but inexorable change brought upon land masses by tectonic activity. Students have the opportunity to examine how new technologies are facilitating the prediction of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. This module increases the students’ understanding of the historical background, the nature and practice, the applications and uses, the implications for society and the environment and the current issues, research and developments in Earth and Environmental Science.
 * Contextual Outline**

=Tectonic Impacts Unit Planner= __**Resources**__ [|Comprehensive site with many great links] - Sydney University [|Summary of some of the main points from the unit]. Page by David tweed - HSC question is answered [|USGS: This Dynamic Earth], The Story of Plate Tectonics Online edition [|Convergent Plate Boundaries] - Chapter from text (?) [|Divergent Plate Boundaries] - Chapter from text (?) [|Interactive Tectonic Map] Digital Online Geology - Earthquakes — Online version of "Earthquakes" by Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, and Dennis Tasa. This informative chapter about earthquakes has images, text, quizzes, and narrated animations explaining what happens when earthquakes occur. (TASA Graphic Arts) [|Continental drift, seafloor spreading and plate tectonics - Tulane University.] [|Plate tectonics] - good summary
 * Lithosheric**
 * plates and there motion**


 * The movement of plates result in mountain building**


 * Continents evolve as plate boundaries move and change**

Tsunami: magnitude of terror (Great site for the boxing day Tsunami) USGS: Earthquakes hazard program [|USGS: Volcanoes Hazard Program] [|The World Wide Earthquake Analyser]
 * Natural Disasters**
 * [|Scienctist Jailed for mot warning about earthquake Oct 22/ 2012]**


 * Plate tectonics and climate**