Buggé: Google Earth Seafloor Investigation NAME: DATE:

Google Earth Seafloor Spreading Investigation

How old is the ocean floor? Does the age of seafloor features change with time? In this investigation we will be exploring the age of the ocean floor through using Google Earth. 1. Open the AgeOfOceanFloor.kmz file in Google Earth. 2. What color indicates the newest material? The oldest?

3. What major seafloor feature is located at this position on the globe? For this position, identify where the transform faults are and label them on your map. Does the seafloor spread evenly? How do you know?

Buggé: Google Earth Seafloor Investigation 4. Locate the Caribbean Plate on the globe. According to the time scale on the left, about when was the Caribbean Plate formed? Propose an explanation as to what does this mean for the future of this plate?

5. Locate the Pacific Plate on the globe. Using your knowledge of plate tectonics, come up with an explanation for the age of the seafloor on the Pacific Plate.