Name ______________________ Date _____________ Period _______
Plate Boundaries
In this activity, you will run a computer program that will allow you to see what happens
at the different types of plate boundaries. The animation will allow you to use oceanic
and continental crusts to see how they interact at each type of boundary, After figuring
out how the simulation works, answer the following questions.
(This activity requires Java)
http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/plate-tectonics
1. When you enter the site, click the green button that says “RUN NOW.” This will start
the application.
2. There are tabs at the top of the page that will allow you to explore the “CRUST” page
as well as the “PLATE MOTION” page.
State where the temperature is the highest.
State where the density is the highest,
Describe what happens when old oceanic crust and new oceanic crust run into each
other.
Describe what happens when continental crust runs into oceanic crust.
Describe what happens when two continental crusts move away from each other.