You, Me, and Tectonic Plates: A Brief Lesson.

By Rob Anthony 

Goal

Learners will understand the basic differentiations between the types of tectonic plate boundaries and the related hazards. Learners will be able to create and export a map with 2 layers of siesmic information shown. 

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, learners will be able to:

  • Understand basic plate tectonics at a global scale. 
  • Understand the different types of plate tectonics. 
  • Be comfortable adding and removing different layers on ARC GIS online. 
  • Find out if there have been any recent earthquakes in a chosen location.
    • Understand why or why not earthquakes happen in the chosen area. 
    • Create and export a basic map of said chosen location. 

Prior Knowledge & Learner Profile

The learners are university students and have an understanding of how to read maps, basic earth systems, and are comfortable navigating a new interactive website.

  1. Learners will need to be comfortable with using and understanding a browser-based map program. 
  2. Learners will need to understand how to interpret a web-based map and interact with multiple different layers of the map, including popups.

Delivery

  1. Start with a basic lesson on plate tectonics.
    1. 4 types of plate boundaries 
    2. Hazards associated with the boundaries.
  2. Together the learners and instructor will navigate to the Natgeo Mapmaker program and explore.
    1. Familizing everyone with the menu and legend. 
  1. Instructor will show how to add and toggle different map layers on and off.
    1. Students will explore different map layers based on interest. 
  1. Students will add 2 or more map layers to the program to create a map that shows a specific seismic phenomena. 
  1. Students can fine tune their map by choosing (or not) to show legend, popups and zoom to a specific area.
    1. Teacher will help students with fine tuning map so that it is neat and legible. 
  1. Students will export map as a PDF and post to their blog/website/print to hand in. 

Evaluation

  • Learners will show their learning by creating a map of a specific area with 2 or more map layers added to the base map. 
  • The map should show a specific phenomena related to the study of earthquakes, volcanic activity or geology.