Plate Tectonics: Evidence
Main Topics | Standards | Science Probe | Lessons | Resources
- Main Topics & Concepts
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How to locate mountains, volcanoes, and earthquakes.
How the location of geologic events can identify plate boundaries. - Standards
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SFUSD Performance Standard 17.4 - Understanding continental drift first as
hypothesis and later as empirical law, and be able to describe other evidence
that can be fit into the framework of the theory of plate tectonics. They
should recognize that major earth processes such as earthquakes, volcanic
eruptions, and other natural disasters are associated with plate boundaries.
Students should understand that convective processes affecting the crust produces
convergent and divergent plate boundaries, and they should to locate these major plate boundaries.
- Science Probe Text
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Science Probe I Chapter 11 covers a suite of topics related to mountains, volcanoes,
and earthquakes. In 11.1 students learn how mountains fold and what a fault is.
In 11.2 they learn about the different
types of volcanoes that exist, the types of igneous rock and a brief discussion
on predicting volcanic eruptions and where volcanoes are located. The last section
of the chapter focuses primarily on earthquakes and faults.
Science Probe II Chapter 13 is entirely devoted to earthquakes and the Earth's interior.
Activity Access Description Science Probe I: Activity 11A
Questions about Mountains, Volcanoes, and Earthquakes
Students use a learning journal to brainstorm what they know and want to know about mountains, earthquakes, and volcanoes. Science Probe I: Activity 11E
Mapping Mountains and Volcanoes
Students explore the distribution of mountains and volcanoes by drawing on a map. Science Probe I: Activity 11F
Mapping Earthquakes
Building on activity 11E, students add the distribution of earthquakes to their maps. - Activities & Lessons
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Activity Access Description Plot that Quake Berkeley Seismological Laboratory
This is one of several options for having students plot earthquake locations on a map. The structure is flexible and data may either be provided to the students or they may access specified Web pages to retrieve their own. Developed as part of the ISTAT project. As an alternative, you can access this USGS Web site and search their earthquake catalog to produce a map.
Discovering Plate Boundaries Rice University
Students break into teams and use different types of maps to discover the properties of plates and where plate boundaries occur. Mapping Plate Boundaries
Students practice graphing skills as they plot the locations of various earthquakes or volcanoes. Students look for patterns among the data they plotted. One suggestion is to find data from either major earthquakes or volcano eruptions (There is volcano data in Science Probe). Then get students to plot these data points (at least 30) on a world map, using longitude and latitude. Aside from practicing mapping and graphing skills, this activity will give students a visual guide to earthquake or volcano locations. From the map, the students can make an inference that the earthquakes and volcanos occur along plate boundaries. Surfing for Earthquakes and Volcanoes Patty Coe and Michael Merrick,
Center for Science Education &
SEGWAY program,
UC Berkeley
In this activity, "students use the Internet to research... earthquakes and volcanoes and plot locations to determine...plate boundaries. Extensions include interpretation of interaction between plate boundaries, causes of earthquakes and volcanoes, and the comparison of the formation of Olympus Mons on Mars and the Hawaiian volcanic chain." Specially-prepared worksheets, links to images and data sources, a detailed explanation of the purpose, procedure, and materials for the lesson, as well as ideas for assessment and follow-up are on the Lesson Plan Content page. - Resources
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Resources Access Description Seismic - Eruptions Computer Program Alan Jones
Windows-based computer program by Alan Jones for learning about the hows and whys of earthquake occurrence. Also known as SeisVolE. Available free from his Web page or on CD for a small fee from the Smithsonian Institution.
Some teachers have reported problems installing the program with certain anti-virus detectors.
Larry Braile has developed a classroom activity to accompany the program. It is also available as a PDF file.Seismic Monitor IRIS E&O
This web page displays recent earthquake locations on a global map. It is updated every 15 min.