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Herb

Unit 2 - Ecosystems & Ecology

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Globe Showing Europe Africa

Unit 1 - Foundations Of Environmental Systems & Societies

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Flexed Biceps

Unit 3 - Biodiversity & Conservation

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Writing Hand

Unit 4 -Water & Aquatic Food Production Systems & Societies

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Deciduous Tree

Unit 5 - Soil Systems & Terrestrial Food Production Systems & Societies

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Cloud

Unit 6 - Atmospheric Systems & Societies

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Thermometer

Unit 7 - Climate Change & Energy Production

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Briefcase

Unit 8 - Human Systems & Resource Use

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Bar-Chart

Internal Assessment

<ul>
	<li>The Earth&#39;s outer crust and upper mantle, known as the lithosphere, is divided into massive &#39;jigsaw&#39; pieces called tectonic plates.</li>
	<li>These plates are always on the move, thanks to the molten magma underneath them in the mantle.</li>
	<li>Plates can move apart, slide against each other, or collide. Imagine these plates as colossal bumper cars in a never-ending ride!</li>
	<li>When plates move, they may release magma from underneath. This magma solidifies and forms new land - like Mother Earth&#39;s DIY kit!</li>
</ul>

<ul>
	<li>You&#39;d think these plates are shy, but they&#39;ve left behind plenty of evidence of their movements!</li>
	<li>We find similar rock formations and fossil records on different continents. This is like finding the same types of cookies in different cookie jars - they must have shared a recipe!</li>
	<li>The shapes of our continents also reveal they were once part of a supercontinent, a big happy family that split up.</li>
</ul>

<ul>
	<li>The movement and interactions of tectonic plates can create new habitats, from mountain ranges to islands. These are like new canvases for Mother Nature&#39;s masterpiece of biodiversity.</li>
	<li>Let&#39;s break down the process:</li>
	<li>Island Formation: When land splits and creates islands, populations get separated. This is like a class trip where different groups explore different places. Over time, they develop their unique characteristics.</li>
	<li>Mountain Uplift: When mountains form, they create new habitats up high. Animals and plants either adapt or move out. Like folks moving from the city to the country, they develop new lifestyles.</li>
	<li>Land Mass Convergence: When plates collide, they can bring different species together, allowing for a mix-and-match of genes. This is like a big international festival where different cultures intermingle.</li>
	<li>Climate Shift: When land masses move, they might end up in a different climate. This changes the environment and the selection pressures on species, kind of like moving from Hawaii to Alaska - you&#39;ll need to adapt quickly!</li>
</ul>

<ul>
	<li>When populations get separated, they can start doing things differently, even in how they mate.</li>
	<li>An example is the birds of paradise in Papua New Guinea. Males attract females using fancy dances and bright plumage. Each species has its own dance move - it&#39;s like each bird species has its unique TikTok dance trend!</li>
	<li>Over time, these behavioural differences, along with genetic differences, can make populations so distinct they become separate species.</li>
</ul>

Now you see how Earth&#39;s very own dance - the tectonic shimmy - plays a huge role in creating the vibrant and diverse life forms we see today. From creating islands to causing climate shifts, these slow but steady movements have stirred the pot of life, promoting the development of new species and a world teeming with biodiversity.

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Keep rockin&#39; those environmental systems and societies, my Earth-lovin&#39; pals! 🌍✨

Dance of Earth: Plate Tectonics & Life

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Standard Level

Environmental Systems & Societies SL

Unit 2 - Ecosystems & Ecology

Dance of Earth: Plate Tectonics & Life

Table of content

The basics of plate tectonics 🌋

Evidence for plate movement 📚

Unlock the Full Content!

Unit 2 - Ecosystems & Ecology

Dance of Earth: Plate Tectonics & Life

Table of content

The basics of plate tectonics 🌋

Evidence for plate movement 📚

Unlock the Full Content!