Name:_________________________
Lab:______
Tectonic Plates Lab
Introduction: You have learned how to locate points on Earth’s surface using latitude and longitude. In this
lab, you will plot earthquake and volcano positions on a world map and identify patterns of distribution.
Procedure:
1.) Using the latitude and longitude coordinates from Data Table I, plot each EPICENTER with a blue
or purple X on the given world map.
2.) Using the latitude and longitude coordinates from Data Table I, plot each VOLCANO with a red or
orange ▲ on the given world map.
3.) Using page 5 of the Earth Science Reference Tables (ESRT’s) and your plots on your world map,
you should notice that the volcanoes and epicenters occur mostly at tectonic plate boundaries. Draw
the plate boundaries on your world map, using the volcano and epicenter locations as guides. When
all boundaries are drawn and checked for accuracy, go over each with a yellow pencil.
4.) Using page 5 of the ESRT’s, label on your world map:
a. (1) The names of each plate
b. (2) The names of each ridge
c. (3) The name of each trench
d. (4)Arrows showing the directions of plate movements.
NOTE: When completed, your map should look EXACTLY life the map on page 5 of the ESRT’s.
5.) Answer the conclusion questions below.
Conclusion Questions:
1.) Name a specific location which shows each of the following:
a. A ridge.
b. A trench
c. A convergent boundary
d. A divergent boundary
2.) Look at the Mediterranean Sea area of the plate tectonic map on page 5 of your ESRT’s. Predict
what will happen to the Mediterranean Sea in the future as a result of this movement.
3.) Look at the India/ Himalaya Mountains area. Describe the movements and change in position on
India in the past to arrive at its current location.
4.) What is the direction of crustal movement of the Australian plate?
5.) How do you think geologists figured out where the locations of the plate edges are?
Data Table I
Earthquakes
Latitude
60°N
55°N
50°N
40°N
35°N
25°N
15°N
10°N
0°
10°S
20°S
50°S
55°S
50°S
40°S
23.5°S
0°
15°N
32°N
38°N
25°N
25°N
15°N
26°N
45°S
60°S
45°S
25°S
5°N
37°N
Volcanoes
Longitude
10°W
20°W
25°W
30°W
50°W
55°W
50°W
40°W
20°W
17°W
20°W
20°W
10°W
20°E
50°E
75°E
60°E
52°E
40°E
15°E
70°E
90°E
150°E
153°E
160°W
135°W
90°W
105°W
110°W
120°W
Latitude
30°S
5°S
10°N
23.5°N
45°N
49°N
48°N
45°N
35°N
20°N
10°N
5°S
15°S
40°S
60°S
50°S
7°S
40°S
50°S
47°N
48°N
50°S
55°S
40°S
15°N
35°N
30°N
17°N
35°N
5°N
Longitude
70°W
80°W
85°W
110°W
122°W
130°W
160°W
150°E
140°E
120°E
130°E
140°E
168°E
172°E
155°E
120°E
112°E
90°E
75°W
175°W
163°E
105°W
60°W
0°
75°W
5°W
35°W
40°E
150°E
100°E