Becoming educated in physical geography requires an understanding of the theory of plate tectonics and the Earth's geological history. In this lesson, students will learn more about these concepts as they investigate the region known as the Ring of Fire, where 75% of the Earth's active and dormant volcanoes are located.

Geography, history, physical science, geology

Standard 3: "How to analyze the spatial organization of people, places, and environments on Earth's surface"
Standard 7: "The physical processes that shape the patterns of Earth's surface"
Standard 12: "The processes, patterns, and functions of human settlement"
Standard 15: "How physical systems affect human systems"

One to two hours

• Computer with Internet access
• Drawing and writing materials

Students will

• review the theory of plate tectonics;
• use the Internet to research the Ring of Fire, and answer questions about this region;
• view an animation of the Earth’s tectonic history, and draw maps predicting what the Ring of Fire region will look like in one hundred million years; and
• write paragraphs explaining what they have drawn.

Ask students to describe what they know about plate tectonics, including what the theory states and how plate movements affect geological events on the Earth's surface. Are they aware of any areas on Earth that are particularly affected by plate movements today?

Have students use the Internet to research the geographic region known as the Ring of Fire. They should look at the following Web sites and others they can find by searching:

National Geographic: Forces of Nature—Ring of Fire
The Ring of Fire
PBS: Savage Earth
USGS: Active Volcanoes and Plate Tectonics, "Hot Spots" and the "Ring of Fire"
USGS: Ring of Fire

As they go through the sites, have them answer these questions:

• Where is the Ring of Fire?
• Why is it called the Ring of Fire?
• What does the Ring of Fire have to do with plate tectonics?
• What events on the Earth's surface tend to occur in this region more frequently than in other regions of the Earth? Why do they occur here?
• What do trenches and mountain ranges have to do with the Ring of Fire and plate tectonics?

Have students look at this animation of the Earth's plate history to see how the plates and continents moved into their current positions over hundreds of millions of years. Then have them draw maps predicting what the Ring of Fire region might look like one hundred million years from now. Their maps should show continents, plate divisions, and some of the geological features they have learned about (e.g., mountains and ocean trenches).

Have students write one to two paragraphs explaining what they have drawn on their maps.

Have students solidify their understanding of the relationship between the geological phenomena of the Ring of Fire and plate tectonics by writing descriptions and drawing pictures to teach elementary school students about the Ring of Fire. Their descriptions will need to be very clear so younger kids can understand them.

Ask students to imagine that they are scientists who have just come up with the theory of plate tectonics. Have them list the supporting evidence they have found in the Ring of Fire region.

Animation of the Earth's Plate History
National Earthquake Information Center Geologic Hazards
National Geographic: FalloutEye on the Volcano
National Geographic: Forces of Nature
National Geographic: Xpeditions Activity—The Power of Fire
PBS: Savage Earth
The Ring of Fire