Overview:
Becoming educated in physical geography requires an understanding of the theory of plate tectonics and the Earth's geological history. In this lesson, you will learn more about these concepts as you investigate the region known as the Ring of Fire, where 75% of the Earth's active and dormant volcanoes are located.
This project will take three computer class periods to complete. Some work may need to be done outside of class.
Procedure --
Step #1: Before you begin, write a sentence or two that describes what you know about plate tectonics. NOTE: If you have never heard of plate tectonics before this, it is perfectly OK to say that!
Step #2: Use the Internet to research the geographic region known as the Ring of Fire. Look at the following Web sites:
National Geographic: Forces of Nature—Ring of Fire
The Ring of Fire
PBS: Savage Earth
USGS: Active Volcanoes and Plate Tectonics, "Hot Spots" and the "Ring of Fire"
USGS: Ring of Fire
As you go through the sites, answer these questions:
1) Where is the Ring of Fire?
2) Why is it called the Ring of Fire?
3) What does the Ring of Fire have to do with plate tectonics?
4) What events on the Earth's surface tend to occur in this region more frequently than in other regions of the Earth?
5) Why do they occur here?
Step #3: Look at this animation of the Earth's plate history to see how the plates and continents moved into their current positions over hundreds of millions of years. Then draw a map predicting what the Ring of Fire region might look like one hundred million years from now. Your map should show continents, plate divisions, and some of the geological features that you have learned about (e.g., mountains and ocean trenches).
Step #4: Write a one to two paragraphs explaining what you have drawn on your map.
Suggested Student Assessment:
Becoming educated in physical geography requires an understanding of the theory of plate tectonics and the Earth's geological history. In this lesson, you will learn more about these concepts as you investigate the region known as the Ring of Fire, where 75% of the Earth's active and dormant volcanoes are located.
This project will take three computer class periods to complete. Some work may need to be done outside of class.
Procedure --
Step #1: Before you begin, write a sentence or two that describes what you know about plate tectonics. NOTE: If you have never heard of plate tectonics before this, it is perfectly OK to say that!
Step #2: Use the Internet to research the geographic region known as the Ring of Fire. Look at the following Web sites:
National Geographic: Forces of Nature—Ring of Fire
The Ring of Fire
PBS: Savage Earth
USGS: Active Volcanoes and Plate Tectonics, "Hot Spots" and the "Ring of Fire"
USGS: Ring of Fire
As you go through the sites, answer these questions:
1) Where is the Ring of Fire?
2) Why is it called the Ring of Fire?
3) What does the Ring of Fire have to do with plate tectonics?
4) What events on the Earth's surface tend to occur in this region more frequently than in other regions of the Earth?
5) Why do they occur here?
Step #3: Look at this animation of the Earth's plate history to see how the plates and continents moved into their current positions over hundreds of millions of years. Then draw a map predicting what the Ring of Fire region might look like one hundred million years from now. Your map should show continents, plate divisions, and some of the geological features that you have learned about (e.g., mountains and ocean trenches).
Step #4: Write a one to two paragraphs explaining what you have drawn on your map.
Suggested Student Assessment:
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