Mapping Earthquakes and Volcanoes

Mapping Earthquakes and Volcanoes

Problem

Is there a pattern in the locations of earthquakes and volcanoes?

Yes, there is evidence of this in “the ring of fire” which is an area where large numbers of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur in the basin of the Pacific Ocean.

There are also various fault lines where a number of earthquakes occur in the same area.

Skills Focus

Interpreting data

Materials

Outline world map showing longitude and latitude

4 pencils of different colors

Procedure

1. Use the information in the table to mark the location of each earthquake on the world map Use a colored pencil to draw a letter E inside a circle at each earthquake location.

2. Use a pencil of a second color to mark the volcanoes on the world map. Indicate each volcano with the letter V inside a circle.

3. Use a third pencil to lightly shade the areas in which earthquakes are found.

4. Use a fourth pencil to shade the areas in which volcanoes are found.

Analyze and Conclude

1.        How are earthquakes distributed on the map? Are they scattered evenly or in concentrated zones?

Most of the earthquakes occur in small clusters or (earthquake prone areas such as fault lines and subduction zones) but there are some very random areas in my opinion.

2. How are volcanoes distributed? Are they scattered evenly or in concentrated zones?

Mostly the distribution of volcanoes is everywhere although there are a number of volcanoes surrounding the Pacific Ocean

3. From your data what can you infer about the relationship between earthquakes and volcanoes?

Sometimes they occur in the same areas and I think it’s because of plate boundaries.

More to Explore

The nearest active volcano to Belgrade, Serbia which is where I live is mount Vesuvius in Italy and it is currently active it has erupted many times before