1. Michigan Grade Level Content Expectations
Account for topographic and human spatial patterns (where people live) associated with tectonic plates such as volcanoes,
earthquakes, settlements (Ring of Fire, recent volcanic and seismic events,
settlements in proximity to natural hazards
in the Western Hemisphere) by using information from GIS, remote sensing,
and the World Wide Web.

2. Instructions to teachers:
Make copies of the map on slide 3 for each student.
Show PowerPoint and discuss slides. Students will follow directions to complete their maps (and add to the legend).
Discuss questions on slides 21 and 22.
4. Have students write a paragraph answering one of the following questions:
“What is the relationship between tectonic plates and the occurrence of volcanoes and earthquakes?”
“Why do you think Los Angeles, Mexico City, and Lima, Peru were built in such dangerous places?”

4. Use basemap to label three regions or continents.
North America
Central America
Use basemap to label three regions or continents.
Equator
South America

5. On basemap 1 label major cities.
Toronto
Chicago
Los Angeles
New York
Mexico City
On basemap 1 label major cities.
Lima
Sao Paulo

6. On basemap show the locations of active volcanoes.

7. These earthquakes occurred between 2000 and 2005.

8. Notice that some of the earthquakes occur near volcanoes.

9. This map shows tectonic plates.
Tectonic plates are huge pieces of the earth’s upper crust.
They move!

10. Continents ride atop some tectonic plates. Other plates are
below oceans and seas.

12. Two tectonic plates are named after continents.
Write names of tectonic plates on your map.

13. Where do most of the volcanoes occur?
Some plates move, pushing into other plates.
Where do most of the volcanoes occur?
Some plates move, pushing into other plates.

14. Where do most of the earthquakes occur?
Some plates move, pushing into other plates.
Where do most of the earthquakes occur?
Some plates move, pushing into other plates.

16. Some plates move, pushing into other plates
Write the name of the long mountain range in South America on your map.
Andes
Some plates move, pushing into other plates
and build mountains.
Andes

17. Notice the volcanoes along the coast of Alaska and
in Mexico and Central America.
Mexico
Central Ameriaa
Andes

18. Notice the earthquakes along the coast of Alaska, in Central America,
and along the Andes Mountains.

19. Name three cities that are close to plate boundaries.
Might a plate boundary be a dangerous place?

20. What other hazards are near these three cities?

21. Assessment:
Choose one of the following. Write your answer in an organized paragraph, including details and examples.
“What is the relationship between tectonic plates and the occurrence of volcanoes and earthquakes?”
“Why do you think Los Angeles, Mexico City, and Lima, Peru were built in such dangerous places?”