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EARTH EXPEDITIONS / FIELD STATION 02

Plate Motion Lab

Connect slow plate motion with large geologic changes over time.

YOUR FIELD PASSPORT0 / 12Junior explorer
◈ DEEP-TIME ENGINEERPredict. Experiment. Collect evidence.+1 FIELD BADGE
Live instrument displayREADY TO EXPLORE
LOCAL PLATE TRACK / NORTH ↑TARGET0.0 million years elapsed · path auto-scaled to fit
Elapsed time0.0 Myr
East displacement0 km
North displacement0 km
0%
Time and visual scale are accelerated for exploration. Read the model assumptions below.
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Free online interactive learning

Plate Motion Lab: experiment guide

This browser-based tectonics lab helps you connect slow plate motion with large geologic changes over time. Designed for Grades 6–10, it turns an abstract idea into a model you can control, measure, reset, and test without signing up.

What you can investigate

Explore Plate speed, direction, geologic time, displacement by changing the available controls and comparing the model’s visual and numerical evidence. Try one variable at a time, then combine changes to test a stronger explanation.

Plate speeddirectiongeologic timedisplacement

How to use this simulation

  1. 1Read the mission and make a prediction before moving a control.
  2. 2Change one variable so its effect is easier to identify.
  3. 3Run the model and record a value, pattern, or visible change.
  4. 4Reset, test a different setup, and explain the result from evidence.

For students, teachers, and independent study

A typical investigation takes 5–10 min. Use it as a lesson demonstration, a guided inquiry activity, a homework experiment, or a quick review. The simulation runs in a modern web browser and does not require an account.

Level
Beginner
Time
5–10 min
Format
Tectonics lab

Common questions

What does the Plate Motion Lab teach?

Connect slow plate motion with large geologic changes over time. The main ideas are Plate speed, direction, geologic time, displacement.

Is the Plate Motion Lab free to use?

Yes. You can run the simulation online for free without creating an account.

How long does the activity take?

Most learners can complete one investigation in 5–10 min. You can repeat it to compare more variables or improve your explanation.