Plate Tectonics Seafloor Spreading Activity: Map the Ocean Floor

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Students learn how ocean depth is measured and discover the mid-ocean ridge as they chart the Atlantic seafloor.

In this activity, students will:

• READ background information about how scientists use sonar to measure the depth of the ocean.
• GRAPH longitude and ocean depth data on a provided graph. The graph creates a “side profile” of the Atlantic ocean floor. This reveals the mid-ocean ridge!
• ADD LABELS to the graph by coloring the Earth and the ocean and labeling the mid-Atlantic ridge and other features.
• ANSWER questions that review seafloor spreading and continental drift.

Teacher Notes:

• INCLUDES ANSWER KEY
• NGSS Standards: Earth Science MS-ESS2-1 and MS-ESS2-2
• NGSS Science & Engineering Practice: Analyzing and interpreting data
• NGSS Science & Engineering Practice: Using mathematics and computational thinking
• Please note: This seafloor spreading activity is NOT editable.
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