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    Home » Science Experiments for Kids » Orange Peel Plate Tectonics

    Orange Peel Plate Tectonics

    January 13, 2021 By Emma Vanstone Leave a Comment

    The inside of the Earth consists of four main layers. The inner core, outer core, mantle and crust. The crust is the thinnest of the layers and made up of moving pieces called plates made from solid rock. There are two types of crust: oceanic and continental crust. This activity is a great introduction to the theory of plate tectonics.

    Tectonic Plate Theory

    Under the plates is a layer of partially melted rock ( the top part of the upper mantle), tectonic plates are constantly moving over this weaker molten layer. As the plates move different things happen at where they meet. Rifts form at the points where two plates pull apart and earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur where the plates push together. This process is called plate tectonics. Most of the Earth’s geological activity is caused by movement of tectonic plates.

    Diagram showing the Earth's tectonic plates. tectonic plate boundaries
    Tectonic Plate Earth Map

    There are three types of tectonic boundaries created by the movement of plates.

    Tectonic Plate Boundaries

    Divergent Plate Boundary

    This is where the plates move apart and is also called a constructive plate boundary.

    On land divergent boundaries lead to gigantic troughs. The Great Rift Valley in Africa is an example of this. The Great Rift Valley is causing East Africa to slowly move away from the rest of the continent.

    When tectonic plates move apart under the sea the pressure under the crust is reduced which allows hot mantle rock to melt and erupt. As the rift increases in size more and more lava erupts and hardens which adds fresh, new rock to the floor of the ocean.

    Convergent Plate Boundary

    This is where plates move towards each other. It’s also referred to as a destructive plate boundary.

    Mountains are formed where plates collide and the crust crumples up. The more the plates collide the higher the mountain.

    Under the ocean one plate often slips under another giving rise to huge trenches, sometimes underwater volcanoes form when part of the crust melts and erupts. An example of this is the Japan Trench caused by the Pacific plate diving under the North American Plate. The Japan Trench is part of a ring of undersea trenches in the Pacific.

    Transform Plate Boundary

    This is where plates move sideways past each other. The crust here isn’t destroyed but the movement can still be dangerous if the two plates lock together causing tension and then snap suddenly causing an earthquake. An example of a transform boundary is the San Andreas Fault in California.

    This kind of boundary is also called a conservative plate boundary.

    Plate Boundary Diagram

    Plate boundaries. Diagram of the Earths different plate boundaries.

    The plates make up the outer shell of the Earth ( the lithosphere ).

    Diagram showing the Lithosphere and  other layers of the Earth.

    Orange Peel Plate Boundaries

    This activity uses an orange to demonstrate tectonic plates.

    The orange with peel represents the Earth.

    The peel represents the earth’s crust ( continental and oceanic ).

    Orange peel plate tectonics

    You’ll need

    1 orange

    Plastic knife

    Plate

    Instructions – Orange Peel Plate Boundaries

    Remove the peel from the orange in as large a piece as possible and put to one side.

    Split the peel into 3-4 pieces, these are your plates.

    Try to place the peel back on the orange. Each separate piece of peel represents a continental plate.

    orange using peel to demonstrate plate tectonics

    Extra Challenge

    This time before putting the peel back on the orange, cover the orange with jam first. This represents the partially melted layer of the upper mantle. The jam should allow the orange peel to move around more freely.

    Move the orange peel plates around and watch what happens to the jam layer.

    Fun Fact – Most of the plates that make up the Earth’s crust move around 2-4 inches per year.

    Examples of tectonic plate boundaries

    Each tectonic plate can have different types of plate boundaries with other plates.

    Nazca Plate/South American Plate – this is a destructive or convergent plate boundary where the Nazca plate is forced under the South American Plate.

    San Andreas Fault in California, this is an example of a transform plate boundary.

    Mid-Atlantic Ridge – this is a chain of mountains under the sea formed as the North American Plate and the Eurasian Plate in the North, and the South American and African Plates in the South move apart. This is a divergent plate boundary.

    More Plate Tectonic Activity Ideas

    Make a model seismometer with a shoebox!

    Playdough to Plato has a lovely graham cracker plate tectonic activity.

    Schooling a Monkey has an edible continental drift activity.

    Try my edible earthquake investigation.

    Books about Earthquakes

    Last Updated on April 23, 2021 by Emma Vanstone

    « Make a Snot Trap – Gross Science for Kids
    Create Your Own Rock Lab – Rock Investigation for Kids »

    Safety Notice

    Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

    These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

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