Sea Floor Spreading Model Cut Out

The center slit represents a mid ocean ridge 2.

Sea floor spreading model cut out.

Cut slits in the cardboard each about 2 mm wide as shown eg. Subduction and sea floor spreading are processes that could alter the size and form of the ocean. The oldest sections should be the sections on both sides furthest from the middle 4. Cut out a piece of stiff cardboard eg.

Take a cardboard cylinder shaped container such as a quaker oats container and cut a vertical slit about 3 inches long and inch wide down the side. The earth does not get bigger. Seafloor spreading is the creation of new seafloor or new oceanic crust 5. Cut out the labels approximately 1 tall by 1 2 wide.

The mid atlantic ridge for instance separates the north american plate from the eurasian plate and the south american plate from the african plate the east pacific rise is a mid ocean ridge that runs through the eastern pacific ocean and separates the pacific plate from the north american. For instance the atlantic ocean is believed to be expanding because of its few trenches. The 4 tactile surfaces will represent rock of various ages depending on how long ago it was laid down. Think pair share turn and talk to your elbow partner.

Place a piece of white paper on the cardboard and cut the paper so that flaps of paper can be pulled. The strips of paper represent oceanic crust or seafloor. Due to this continuous seafloor spreading occurs and makes atlantic ocean floor to be connected to other continental crust making the ocean gets wider over the time. 3 slits as shown here.

Seafloor spreading theory that oceanic crust forms along submarine mountain zones known collectively as the mid ocean ridge system and spreads out laterally away from them. Cut 3 slits each slightly more than 8 cm wide. The base is best if made from poster board or card stock. Seafloor spreading occurs along mid ocean ridges large mountain ranges rising from the ocean floor.

Use the model to show them the creation of new sea floor at spreading centers and the disappearance of old sea floor at subduction zones. To create a working model of sea floor spreading follow the model seen below figure 1. The width and length of the base are not critical as long as they are at least 12 cm wide and 30 cm long. This idea played a pivotal role in the development of the theory of plate tectonics which revolutionized geologic thought during the last quarter of the 20th century.

25 x 35 cm. A model of seafloor spreading key 1. This model represents the flow of lava over time due to plate tectonics at mid oceanic ridges seafloor spreading. Create a model of the spreading sea floor.

You can make your own model of a spreading oceanic ridge offset by transform faults as follows. Please refer to the picture as you build this model. You may wish to cut the paper model pieces for the students ahead of time or use a model you have made as a demonstration for the class.