Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Tectonic Plates
Procedure
1. Obtain a map, two rulers, and two different colored markers. Also get a list of recent earthquakes and a
list of recent volcano eruptions.
2. Use one color of marker to plot the location of 53 earthquakes from the list using the latitude and
longitude numbers from the earthquake list. Show the location of each earthquake by making a small
circle or dot at the place on your map.
3. Use the other color of marker to plot the location of 53 volcanoes from the list using the latitude and
longitude numbers from the volcano list. Show the location of each volcano by making a small circle or
dot at the place on your map.
4. In the lower left hand corner of the map, make a legend indicating which colors represent earthquakes
and volcanoes.
Analysis
ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS OF ANOTHER SHEET OF PAPER!!
1. Look closely at the marked map. Are the locations of earthquakes and volcanoes randomly scattered
over the Earth or do they seem to be more concentrated in certain areas? Explain your answer.
2. Which country or area of the world has the most volcanic activity according to the data provided?
3. Which country or area of the world had the most earthquake activity according to the data provided?
4. The map shows many geological features of the ocean floor. Write the names of the major geological
features of the ocean floor that are located at or very near the location of the earthquakes and volcanoes
that were plotted. (For example: basins, ridges, rises, trenches)
5. Look carefully at the map and the picture of the major plate boundaries on the board. Describe the
relationship between the location of earthquakes and volcanoes and the boundaries of the plate. Be
specific!
6. Look carefully at the map and the picture of the major plate boundaries on the board.
a. Which geological features of the ocean floor do you think have been formed by a convergent
boundary?
b. Which geological feature of the ocean floor do you think have been formed by divergent
boundaries?
7. Use the table on the other side and your list of earthquakes to answer the last three questions.
a. According to the data given to you, how many of those earthquakes would have been felt by all
people?
b. According to the data, how many of those earthquakes would be described as moderate?
c. Which tectonic plates would have been involved in producing those moderate earthquakes?