'AS' EARTH SYSTEMS 'SCHEME OF WORK'

Updated February 2006

Numbers relate to 70min periods - there is flexibility to spend more (or less) time on some of these topics.

1 Introduction to Earth Structure.

 

Evidence for continental drift and plate tectonics.

Theories of Alfred Wegener & work of Harry Hess: Sea Floor Spreading

2 Types of plates. Locating plates.

Plate map - identification of plates

Major and minor plates

Direction and rate of movement

3 Types of plate boundaries: constructive, destructive, conservative, collision

Examples of each one...

Flash animations being used...

Ocean Ridges - Beniof Zone

4 Hotspots: Hawaii. Oceanic features. Island Arcs. Guyots, Sea Mounts

How can volcanoes occur away from the plate boundaries

 

5 Features found at plate boundaries. Fold mountains.

Old fold mountains and new fold mountains

 

6 Distribution of volcanic activity.

Examine the pattern of volcanic activity.

7 Extrusive activity: types of volcanic activity.

Types of cone. Relationship to lava type. Explanation of different lava types.

 

8 Case Study: Extrusive landforms

 

9 Intrusive activity - terms: country rock, intrusions, plumes, dykes, sills, batholiths, laccoliths

 

10 Case Study: Intrusive landforms on Dartmoor and the Great Whin Sill

 

11 Economic benefits of igneous activity:

 

12 Weathering. Introduction to processes.

 

13 Chemical weathering processes

Peltier diagram: explanation of mechanisms of weathering

 

14 Physical and biological weathering processes

 

15 Limestone Landscapes

 

16 Granite Landscapes

 

17 Impact of tectonic activity

 

18 Benefits of Tectonic activity
19 MONTSERRAT - Volcanic island

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