To learn more about the nature of earthquakes, visit the following web sites: Savage Earth, Restless Planet: Earthquakes, PBS Virtual Courseware: Earthquake, Virtual Courseware To learn more about earthquake and plate movement, visit the following web sites: Earthquakes, Faults, Plate Tectonics, Earth Structure, USGS Earthquakes and Plate Tectonics, USGS Earthquakes Hazards Program Plate Tectonics, the Cause of Earthquakes, Nevada Seismological Laboratory To learn more about the nature of volcanoes, visit the following web sites: Savage Earth, Mountains of Fire, PBS Volcanic Gases, USGS Volcano Hazards Fact Sheet To learn more about volcanoes and plate movement, visit the following web sites: Location of Volcanoes, NASA Classroom of the Future To learn more about the association of earthquakes and volcanoes, visit the following web sites: Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Plate Tectonics, USGS Reply to Ask-An-Earth-Scientist, University of Hawaii To learn more about mountain building, visit the following web sites: Mountain Building, Okanagan University College Information to complete part 8 of the investigation: Earthquakes Near Real-Time Current World Earthquakes Data, United States Geological Survey, National Earthquake Information Center Largest Earthquakes in the US, USGS Earthquake Hazards Program Unusual Events of March-April 1868, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Information About Past and Historical Earthquakes, USGS Historic Earthquakes, About.com Information to complete part 8 of the investigation: Volcanoes Volcanic Eruptions and Activity, USGS Deadliest Volcanic Eruptions Since 1500 A.D., USGS 20th Century Volcanic Eruptions and Their Impact, USGS Current Volcanic Activity, USGS
Objective
Volcanoes and earthquakes are not randomly distributed around the globe. Instead they tend to occur along limited zones or belts. With the understanding of plate tectonics, scientists recognized that these belts occur along plate boundaries. According to the theory of plate tectonics, the Earth's outer shell (lithosphere) is made up of seven large and many smaller moving plates. As the plates move, their boundaries collide, spread apart or slide past one another, resulting in geological processes such as earthquakes, volcanoes and mountain making. You might want to point out that not all volcanoes occur at plate boundaries. Some occur in the middle of plates in areas known as "hot spots." The Hawaiian Islands are an example of this type of volcano. When comparing their maps, students will notice that volcanoes and earthquakes frequently occur at plate boundaries. Students who are familiar with the theory of plate tectonics might be able to explain the pattern or relationship they observe. Other students can conduct additional research to find information to help them explain their observations. This map shows how some of the world's volcanoes and earthquakes occur along tectonic plate boundaries. Articles
Parfit, Michael. "Living with Natural Hazards." National Geographic (July 1998): 2-39. Web Sites
NOVA Online—Deadly Shadow of Vesuvius
USGS Earthquake Information
Volcano World: Current Volcano Activity The "Where on Earth" activity aligns with the following National Science Education Standards: Grades 5-8
Structure of the Earth System
Earth's history
Grades 9-12
Energy in the earth system
The origin and evolution of the earth system
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