Mapping Potential Disaster Zones Option 8 Mapping Potential Disaster Zones Scientists use the seismic gap theory to map the locations of earthquakes that have occurred. Once mapped, they look to see which areas along the plate boundaries haven’t experienced any earthquakes. These areas become the danger zones – where scientists believe the next earthquakes could occur. The following links give more information about seismic gap theory: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/glossary/?term=seismic%20gap http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seismic_gap Task 1: Using a school textbook or the internet, locate the World’s plate boundaries and mark on any that can be found on the map on North America using a coloured line. Task 2: Using the map of North America, locate the areas where earthquakes have occurred using the grid references given. Mark the area using a cross. 135020 (1920) 133024 (1929) 132025 (1950) 138035 (1970) 131027 (1982 166028 (1943) 166028 (1990) Task 3: Give the 6-figure grid references for at least 3 areas where you predict the next earthquakes might occur (an area where an earthquake has not occurred yet). Make sure you can justify (give reasons) why you have chosen these areas. Task 4: Draw a simple bar chart to show how many of the earthquakes (above) occurred between the years 1900–1920, 1921–1940, 1941-1960, 1961-1980, 1981-2000). Make sure your graph has a title, the axes are labelled and there is a key. This can be hand drawn or done on the computer. GCSE Question Describe and explain the location of earthquakes. (6 marks)