Shifting Plates Projects
When the class learns the topic, you & your partner will help “teach” your section by providing information as
described below. You will need to provide some sort of organizer/visual to display your info.
1. Plate Tectonics and the Formation of Mountains
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How is the earth affected by these long-term processes?
Describe a model that you might use to represent the relationships that exist between plate tectonics and the formation of
mountains.
Provide examples of mountain ranges that can be found on each continent.
2. Plate Tectonics and the Formation of Earthquakes
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How is the earth affected by these long-term and short term geological cycles?
Describe a model that you might use to represent the relationships that exist between plate tectonics and the formation of
earthquakes.
Provide one example of a major earthquake that occurred in each hemisphere.
Types of Volcanoes: shield, cinder cone, strato/composite
3. Shield Volcanoes:
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Investigate how shield volcanoes are formed.
Provide a list of inactive and active examples of shield volcanoes on earth (at least 10 total)
Show the differences between the different types of volcanoes, including if some are more dangerous than others.
4. Cinder Cone Volcanoes:
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Investigate how cinder cone volcanoes are formed
Provide a list of inactive and active examples of cinder cone volcanoes on earth (at least 10 total).
Show the differences between the different types of volcanoes, including if some are more dangerous than others.
5. Strato/Composite Volcanoes:
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Investigate how strato/composite volcanoes are formed.
Provide a list of inactive and active examples of strato/composite volcanoes on earth (at least 10 total),
Show the differences between the different types of volcanoes, including if some are more dangerous than others.
6. The “Ring of Fire”
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Examine the “Ring of Fire” and explain why the “Ring of Fire” occurred & why it exists.
Besides volcanoes, hypothesize and investigate what other geological occurrences the “Ring of Fire” has produced. Provide
descriptions for these.
7. Earthquake Safety and Preparation
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Critique current earthquake safety procedures and preparations used in California. Justify why current procedures are good or
why and how they could be improved.
Create a safety plan to prepare people for an earthquake and keeping them safe. Describe what they should do.
8. Historic Earthquakes
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Describe 3 major earthquakes, when they occurred, what damage was reported, and the rating on the Richter scale (include
any other relevant information you uncover).
Draw conclusions as to why the largest continental United States earthquakes have & are likely to occur in or around
California?
9. Historic Volcanic Eruptions
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Describe 3 major volcanic eruptions that have happened on Earth. What damage was reported, how was the area affected for
each?
Though most volcanoes are mountains, most mountains are not volcanoes, explain this.
10. Types of Volcanic Eruptions
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Describe the 3 types of volcanic eruptions. Include descriptions of the lava’s viscosity, factors influencing the eruptions, and
the silica content for each.
11. Geothermal Activity
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Compare and contrast hot springs and geysers. How and where do they form?
Name 2 specific, famous locations in the U.S. and other countries.
12. Detecting and Predicting the Movement of Earth's Plates
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Explain how people benefit when the movement of the earth's plates is predicted and detected.
Describe the steps involved in detecting and predicting the movement of earth's plates. Include the equipment and technology
used.
13. Tsunamis
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Describe what a tsunami and explain how tsunaimis occur.
Provide a TOP 5 list of where the most destructive tsunamis have occurred on Earth from 2000 to 2015. Describe the
damages for each area affected. What was the economic impact on other parts of the world?
14. Calderas
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What is a caldera?
Provide 3 examples of specific calderas on Earth and how the each formed.
15. Island Arcs
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Describe how island arcs form.
Include a list of 5 locations where island arcs can be found on Earth: 1 from the U.S. and the others from 4 different countries.
16. Hot Spots Volcano Chains
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Describe how hot spots form.
Compare and contrast oceanic vs. continental hot spots. Provide a specific list of locations where each can be found.