Overview

In this section you will find materials that support the implementation of EarthComm, Section 1: Where are the Volcanoes and Earthquakes?.

Learning Outcomes

• Analyze data on volcano and earthquake locations to identify patterns in their global distribution.
• Analyze data on maps to locate volcanoes and past earthquakes nearest to your community.
• Analyze and interpret data to develop explanations for the locations of future volcanic and earthquake activity.
• Apply evidence of the locations of volcanoes and earthquakes to support the theory of plate tectonics.

Using Technology

To learn more about the locations of earthquakes and volcanoes, complete the following:

The Spatial Distribution of Volcanoes

1. You are going to analyze volcano location data and look for patterns in the distribution of Earth’s volcanoes. You will use a software program called Google Earth to explore the data.  Using a computer with an internet connection, open Google Earth.  If your computer does not have Google Earth installed, go to http://earth.google.com/ to download a free version.
    
2. Using your web browser, go to the website of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History Global Volcanism Program at www.volcano.si.edu. 
    
3. At the top, you will see several navigation menu items. Under the heading "Learn" select "Resources and Media. From the list of options on the left click on "Google Earth Placemarks."
    
4. Click on "Download Quaternary Volcanoes Network Link." Save the file onto your computer. You may want to save it to your desktop for ease of access. The file name will be automatically saved as "GVPWorldVolcanoes." When you are finished, click on the file and it will open up with Google Earth. The file contains volcano location data provided by the Global Volcanism Program.
    
5. The data file shows the locations of volcanoes thought to have been active in the last 11,700 years (Holocene). It also contains the locations of Pleistocene volcanoes (2.58 Ma - 11,700 years ago).  Using the Google Earth navigation controls, locate and zoom into ten volcanoes from the Holocene data.  Click on the triangular icon for each volcano to retrieve descriptive information about the volcano. 
    
6. In your notebook, create a table that records the location, longitude, latitude, and type of each volcano.
    
7. Using the navigation controls, rotate the image of the Earth until you have viewed the locations of all the Earth’s volcanoes.
   1. What patterns do you see in the global data?
   2. Where are volcanoes concentrated?
   3. Where are volcanoes rarely located?

The Spatial Distribution of Earthquakes

1. You are now going to use Google Earth to examine the distribution of earthquakes, another process that occurs in the Earth’s crust.  Using your web browser, go to the website of the United States Geological Survey at www.earthquake.usgs.gov. 
    
2. Scroll down to find "Google Earth/KML Files" and click on it.
    
3. Click on the link "Real-Time Earthquakes." Under the "Feeds" heading on the right side, click on link "Colored by Age." Save the file onto your computer. You may want to save it to your desktop for ease of access. The file name will be automatically saved as "1.0_week_age." When you are finished, click on the file and it will open up with Google Earth. The file contains earthquake location data provided by the United States Geological Survey.
    
4. In the Google Earth sidebar, you will see that the data file shows the locations of earthquakes that have occurred within the past hour, past day, and past week. Using the Google Earth navigation controls, locate and zoom into ten earthquakes. Click on the circular icon for each earthquake to retrieve descriptive information about the earthquake.  
    
5. In your notebook, create a table that records the location, longitude, and latitude of each earthquake.
    
6. Using the navigation controls, rotate the image of the Earth until you have viewed the locations of all the Earth’s earthquakes.
   1. What patterns do you see in the global data?
   2. Where are earthquakes concentrated?
   3. Where are earthquakes rarely located?
       
7. You will now compare the data on the locations of volcanoes to the locations of earthquakes. Open the Holocene Volcanoes data layer by clicking on the Holocene Volcanoes file (GVPWorldVolcanoes) you saved to your computer. The file should open automatically in Google Earth and the data should be displayed along with the earthquake data.
    
8. Use the data sets displayed on Google Earth to help you answer the following in your notebook:
   1. Describe the spatial relationship between the volcano data and the earthquake data.
   2. What explanation can you give for this relationship?

Volcanoes, Earthquakes, and Your Community

1. Using your web browser, go to the website of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History Global Volcanism Program at www.volcano.si.edu.
    
2. At the top, you will see several navigation menu items. Under the heading "Learn," select "Resources and Media" then click on "Google Earth Placemarks."
    
3. On the sidebar, click on "This Dynamic Planet (map)." Click on "Interactive On-line Map." You should see an image of This Dynamic Planet map created by the United States Geological Survey.
    
4. Look at the map Legend to learn the meaning of the various symbols and how to use the map scale.
   1. What does each of the four kinds of triangles represent?
       
5. Use the map navigation controls (Zoom in andZoom-out) and the Legend to help you examine the locations of volcanoes and earthquakes.
    
6. Compare the advantages and disadvantages of using Google Earth and the USGS Map for looking at volcano and earthquake data. Discuss your ideas with your class.

Inquiring Further

1. To learn more about the work of volcanologists and seismologists, visit the following web sites:

Volcanologist, AGI
Learn more about becoming a volcanologist.

Seismologist, AGI
Learn more about becoming a seismologist.

The History of Seismology, IRIS
A poster that includes information about some of the most famous scientists involved in the study of earthquakes and the structure of the Earth.

Geoscience Careers, AGI
Descriptions of geoscience careers, employers and employment opportunities.
 

2. To learn more about the historical eruptions of volcanoes nearest to your community, visit the following web site:
   
   Volcano World, Oregon State University
   A comprehensive site that provides information on volcanoes located around the world.
    
3. To learn more about volcanoes and the hydrosphere, visit the following web sites:
   
   Submarine Volcanoes, Oregon State University
   Reviews the basics of plate tectonics and examines submarine volcanoes at divergent and convergent boundaries and hot spots. The site has good images of underwater lava flows as well as images of the organisms that live near these submarine volcanoes.
   
   VENTS Program, NOAA
   Find information on how submarine volcanoes and hydrothermal vents affect the global oceans.
   
   Researchers Unveil Secrets of Undersea Volcano, NOAA
   Read an article about the mysteries of underwater volcanoes.

Resources

To learn more about this topic, visit the following web sites:

Volcanoes Beneath the Sea

Submarine Volcanism, NOAA
Find information on submarine and other types of volcanoes.

Submarine Volcanoes, Oregon State University
Reviews the basics of plate tectonics and examines submarine volcanoes at divergent and convergent boundaries and hot spots. The site has good images of underwater lava flows as well as images of the organisms that live near these submarine volcanoes.

VENTS Program, NOAA
Find information on how submarine volcanoes and hydrothermal vents affect the global oceans.

Researchers Unveil Secrets of Undersea Volcano, NOAA
Read an article about the mysteries of underwater volcanoes.

Submarine Volcanoes Erupting, Smithsonian
In 2009, scientists discovered the deepest ocean eruption ever found—the West Mata Volcano. Watch a video of this story.

Monitoring Volcanoes on Land

Volcano monitoring and research is conducted at five U.S. volcano observatories. Studies by the USGS Volcano Hazards Program provide information and warnings about volcanic activity in the United States.

Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO), USGS
The AVO is one of five volcano observatories in the United States. It monitors volcanic activity in Alaska and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, a U.S. Territory. Check the alert level in this dynamic region.

California Volcano Observatory (CalVO), USGS
CalVO's website contains information about the geologically young volcanoes of California and Nevada. 

Cascades Volcano Observatory (CVO), USGS
The CVO site provides data, maps, graphics, images, and text related to volcanoes and volcanic eruptions.

Hawaiin Volcano Observatory (CVO), USGS
The HVO monitors the largest volcanoes on Earth. Read weekly activity updates from the scientists.

Yellowstone Volcano Observatory (YVO), USGS
The YVO monitors a region with a colossol volcanic history. This site highlights also highlights evidence of past events as well as active volcanics.

Volcano Types, USGS
Glossary terms including the major types of volcanoes, including calderas, cinder cones, composite volcanoes, stratovolcanoes, and shield volcanoes. Provides links for further details and information about specific eruptions.

The Pacific Ring of Fire

"Ring of Fire", Plate Tectonics, Sea-Floor Spreading, Subduction Zones, "Hot Spots", USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory
Reviews the basics of plate tectonics and allows the reader to further investigate specific volcanoes within the "ring of fire." Includes several maps which highlight the "ring."

Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO), USGS
Read an introduction about the volcanoes and volcanic fields of Alaska, which make up the northern portion of the "ring of fire." Also includes maps and allows further investigation of specific volcanoes in Alaska. (See the other observatories on the Pacific coast listed above.)

Volcanoes Formed by Rifting on Continents

Columbia River Basalt Group, Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, USGS
Read more information about one of the best preserved flood basalts on Earth and that form the Columbia Plateau. It also includes links to a map and geologic time scale for the subdivisions within the Columbia River Basalt Group.

Africa Volcanoes and Volcanics, Smithsonian GVP
Learn more about the East African rift valley. Use the volcano database to search for volcanoes in the AFAR region.

Seismicity and Volcanics in the East African Rift, USGS
Map showing the distribution of earthquakes over a 20 year period.

Volcanoes at Hot Spots

"Hot spots:" Mantle Thermal Plumes, USGS
Learn more about the geology of the Hawaiian islands as well as other hotshots around the world.

Active Volcanoes of Hawaii, USGS
Read about the Hawaiian volcanoes and how they formed. It also includes links to other pages about specific volcanoes on the islands of Hawaii and Maui.

Hawaiian Volcanism, Oregon State University
View a slide show with color photos and descriptions about the theory of "hot spots." Site also includes a list of sample lesson plans, key concepts, references, and activities about hot spots and the Hawaiian islands.

Life Stages of Hawaiian Volcanoes, Oregon State University
Examine the stages in the development of volcanoes in the Hawaiian islands.

Earthquakes

Seismology, USGS
Provides links for more information on seismology and the challenge of measuring the size of an earthquake.

Animations for Earthquake Terms and Concepts, USGS  
Comprehensive list of terms frequently used in discussion of earthquakes.

Frequently Asked Questions, USGS Earthquakes Hazards Program
Covers a wide range of topics to give a good general overview of earthquakes. Additional links are provided if more information is desired.

Where Do Earthquakes Occur?, USGS
Covers earthquake occurrences along plate boundaries and along fault planes. Reviews the different types of faults.

Earthquakes, USGS
This online publication is an excellent overview of earthquakes and includes a lot of good graphics and photos.