"Become a Seismologist"

Visit the virtual earthquake website and calculate the earthquake's epicenter and how it measures on the Richter scale.  Turn in your certificate for credit.

Seismic Risk

Problem

What is the pattern of earthquake distribution in the world?

Materials
This worksheet
World map showing latitude and longitude
Table showing latitude and longitude of earthquakes
4 different colored pencils

Description of Collaborative Activities
Within your group, locate earthquakes and volcanoes on a world map.  Share your observations and conclusions with the class during group summary.  Submit, as a group, the written copy of observation and map produced.

Procedure:

• Print a copy of the world map.
• Use the Internet to find a table of recent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.  Use the information in the table to plot the location of each earthquake on the world map.  Label each location with one colored pencil.
• Do the same thing for volcanoes, using a different colored pencil.
• Use a third colored pencil to shade the areas in which earthquakes are found.
• Use a fourth colored pencil to shade the areas in which volcanoes are found.
• Label the map, "Patterns of Earthquake and Volcano Distribution."
• Create a map legend
• Complete the Observations and turn in along with your map.

Observations
Use your map to complete the following observations and conclusions. Choose the best ending for each sentence.
 

Earthquakes are:    (a) scattered randomly over the Earth's surface or
                             (b) concentrated in definite areas or zones

Volcanoes are        (a) scattered randomly over the Earth's surface or
                              (b) concentrated in definite areas or zones

Most earthquakes are located (a) near the edges of continetns or
                                              (b) near the center of continents.

Most volcanoes are located:   (a) near the edges of continents or
                                              (b) near the center of continents

True or False

__________  1.  There are active volcanoes near you home or town.

__________  2.  An earthquake has occurred near your home or town.

Conclusions:

1.  Describe any patterns you observed in the distribution of earthquakes and volcanoes.
 
 

2.  What relationship do you think exists between the location of earthquakes and the location of volcanoes?
 
 
 
 
 

Source:

Earthquakes & Volcanoes
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/4kids/4teachers/4teachers_1012.html

Graphics:
Coolnotions.com

Created for the Fermilab LInC program sponsored by Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory Education Office and Friends of Fermilab, and funded by United States Department of Energy, Illinois State Board of Education, North Central Regional Technology in Education Consortium which is operated by North Central Regional Educational Laboratory (NCREL), and the National Science Foundation.

Author(s): Starr Bright, Theresa Owens, Lu Anne Smith
School: Branchville High School, Orangeburg, SC
Created: April 2, 2001 Updated: April 2, 2001
URL: http://www-ed.fnal.gov/lincon/w01/projects/earthquakes/studentactivites.html