Processes at conservative plate margins
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the processes at conservative plate margins and relate these to the causes of earthquakes.
Key learning points
- Conservative plate margins involve two plates sliding alongside each other.
- Distinctive processes occur at conservative plate margins.
- Earthquakes occur at conservative plate margins but volcanoes do not.
Keywords
Magnitude - a measure of the energy released by an earthquake; a higher magnitude means a stronger earthquake
Magma - molten rock found beneath Earth's surface. It is formed when rocks in Earth's mantle or crust melt due to high temperatures and pressure
Common misconception
Volcanoes occur at all plate margins.
While volcanoes are a feature of both destructive and constructive plate margins, there are no volcanic eruptions at conservative margins because no magma is produced.
Teacher tip
Once students have learned about all three types of plate margin, they could show their understanding by comparing the processes and hazards associated with each type.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What are the two main types of tectonic plate?
Q2.Which layer of Earth is made up of tectonic plates?
Q3.What is the name of the theory that explains the movement of tectonic plates?
Q4.What is an example of a tectonic hazard?
Q5.What is the Pacific Ring of Fire?
Q6.Which layer of Earth is composed mostly of solid iron and nickel?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What happens at a conservative plate margin?
Q2.Which natural hazard is most common at conservative plate margins?
Q3.Why don’t volcanoes form at conservative plate margins?
Q4.What famous conservative plate margin exists in the USA?
To help you plan your 10 geography lesson on: Processes at conservative plate margins, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 geography lesson on: Processes at conservative plate margins, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 geography lessons from the Natural and tectonic hazards unit, dive into the full secondary geography curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.