Time to Teach Plate Tectonics
Many of the concepts and lessons taught in school can seem mundane because it is difficult to draw parallels in the “real world.” With all of the seismic activity that has been making headlines around the globe as of late, it is a perfect opportunity to teach your children about plate tectonics theory. There are obviously many facets and nuances to the theory, but here is a quick primer.
According to the theory, the lithosphere is composed of several plates that are constantly in motion. The reason that these plates are able to move is that the lithosphere has a higher strength and lower density than the strata that it is sitting on. When these plates move, they build up friction at the plate lines, and when this friction is released, we feel it in the form of an earthquake.