Sequence | Background | Objectives | Materials | Activity | Extensions | Evaluations

TOPIC-TITLE Plate Tectonics - Rings of Fire AUTHOR Carina Bautista Enterina Calro Angel Hocog Karness Kusto Michael Tenny Iros Waguk GRADE SUITABILITY Middle School SCOPE Oceanography

Sequence Students should already have basic mapping skills, including latitude and longitude. < < go top

Background Summary Trenches are found at the margins of crustal plates in subduction zones. Island arcs are volcanic islands that form an arc in the ocean and are associated with trenches. Most trenches are located in the Pacific Region. Because many of the volcanoes associated with wetlands are still active, this area is known as the Ring of Fire (Greene, 1998). Further, since islands in this area are in subduction zones, earthquakes occur frequently. < < go top Objectives Students will be able to do the following: Describe the theory of plate tectonics, including such concepts as the Ring of Fire, and the three ways the Earth's plates move. Plot earthquakes and volcanoes on a map and explain why they occur at plate boundaries. < < go top Materials Video, Pacific Ring of Fire, or any video on Plate Tectonics Globe or world map Poster paper and markers Student activity sheets (provided from Ohia Project) Pacific Region maps (provided from Ohia Project) Earth plate maps (provided from Ohia Project) < < go top Activity Show the video, Pacific Ring of Fire (45 min.), or a video on Plate Tectonics. Students should write two questions each about the video, such as: Why are the Earth's plates moving? Discuss the questions from the video. Review mapping skills. Use latitude and longitude to locate specific points on a globe or world map. Distribute copies of the map of the Pacific region. Explain the points students are to plot on the map represent only a few of the many earthquakes and active volcanoes in the Pacific. Explain scientists believe the Earth's crust is divided into large moving plates and the area of seismic and volcanic activity around the Pacific Ocean is known as the Ring of Fire (the ring outlines the boundaries of moving plates). Using a model (plastic or wood) or illustrations, discuss the theory of plate tectonics. Refer to the Earth Plate map, and use the Pacific Plate as an example to review the three ways the Earth's plates move. Assign groups of four or five students. The Pacific region map will be given to each group as a guide. On poster paper, each group will draw a map of the Pacific region. They will also locate and mark as many active volcanoes and earthquakes as possible. The group members will also discuss the plate tectonic theory as it relates to the Ring of Fire. As a final activity, the groups will illustrate and give a two-minute presentation on three ways the Earth's plates move and the Ring of Fire. < < go top Possible Extension Have students make a mural. Divide the class into four groups. Each group will be assigned a role in making the mural. (Draw and color the organisms found on these habitats.) 1st group: shore 2nd group: reef 3rd group: shallow 4th group: deep From the mural, allow each student to make a story of his/her own. Have students create their own books about marine habitats. < < go top Teacher Evaluation Grade students according to how many active areas they can accurately mark on their maps. A=12 or more, B=9 to 11, C=6 to 8, and D=5 or less. Grade the groups on the accuracy of their illustrations, content of their presentation, group members' involvement, and ability to adhere to time restrictions. < < go top