Ring of Fire Mapping Activity

Directions and Analysis Questions

Objective
In this activity, you will plot known coordinates of earthquakes and volcanoes on a map to discover
the pattern of the Ring of Fire. You will then research the locations of various geologic features and
draw them on your map. You will then analyze your map, inference future earthquakes and
volcanoes, and answer analysis questions.

Part 1: Mapping Activity

1. Locate sites of previous earthquakes on your map using the latitude and longitude coordinates
found in the table below. Mark the locations of the earthquakes by drawing a small circle and
shading the circle the color dark blue. Shade in the circle on the key of your map dark blue as
well.

2. Locate volcanoes on your map using the coordinates found in the table below. Mark the locations
of the volcanoes on your map by drawing a small triangle at the coordinate and shading it the
color red. Shade in the triangle on the key of your map a matching red as well.

Earthquakes Volcanoes
Latitude Longitude Latitude Longitude
48 o N 150 o E 0o 78 o W
15 o S 172 o E 60 o N 138 o W
40 o N 120 o W 56 o N 162 o W
54 o N 171 o E 38 o S 178 o E
17 o N 121 o E 35 o N 138 o E
8oS 160 o E 20 o N 105 o W
35 o N 140 o E 46 o N 122 o W
61 o N 150 o W 7oN 125 o E
14 o S 121 o E 5oS 152 o E
41 o S 175 o E 10 o S 77 o W
30 o S 70 o W 41 o N 122 o W
55 o N 159 o W 3oS 120 o E
13 o N 85 o W 27 o S 69 o W
30o N 110 o W 50 o N 180o

3. Use a yellow highlighter or yellow colored pencil to highlight the belt of volcanoes and
earthquakes that is referred to as the Ring of Fire.

4. Locate the Hawaii Hot Spot on your map using the coordinates: 19o N, 156o W. Locate a starburst
shape like this at that location. Shade in the shape orange. Shade in the matching shape on
the map key as well. Write “Hawaii Hot Spot” next to your symbol.

5. Locate the deepest part of the ocean, Challenger Deep, using the coordinates: 11o N, 143o E.
Locate a star at this location and shade the star in purple. Shade in the corresponding star in the
key purple. Write “Challenger Deep” next to the star you drew on the map.
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6. Find the approximate locations of the following geologic features found along plate boundaries
labeled on your map.

Geologic Features:
-Himalaya Mountains -Puerto Rico Trench
-Andes Mountains -San Andreas Fault
-Rocky Mountains -Mid-Atlantic Ridge
-Mariana Trench

7. Once you determine each general location, shade them the following colors.
= Deep Ocean Trench = Mid-Atlantic Ridge
Light (Sky) Blue Green

= Mountain Ranges = San Andreas Fault

Brown Black

8. Label the name of each of the seven features on your map at their location.

Part 2: Analysis Questions

On your own sheet of paper, answer the following questions. Use your map, the plate boundaries
map shown below, or Internet research as references to help you answer the questions.

1. In your own words, describe the Ring of Fire.

2. What is the name of the tectonic plate that the Ring of Fire encircles?

3. Which ocean is at the site of the Ring of Fire?

4. What relationship exists between the locations of earthquakes and volcanoes?

5. List the names of two tectonic plates that are NOT part of the Ring of Fire.

6. Based on your data, which area of the North American continent would have the greatest risk of
earthquake damage? Why would this information be helpful for urban planners, structural
engineers, and people living in the area?

7. Bases on your data, which area on the South American continent would have the greatest risk of a
volcanic eruption? How could people living in this area be prepared in the event of a sudden and
violent volcanic eruption?

8. Where is the Hawaii Hot Spot located relative to the Pacific Plate?

9. What are hot spots and what do they produce?

10. List the names of the tectonic plates that meet to create the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.

11. What type of plate boundary makes up the Mid-Atlantic Ridge?

12. What type of crusts are at a Mid-Ocean Ridge? Oceanic, Continental, or Both?
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13. Describe how new lithosphere is produced by the seafloor spreading that occurs at a Mid-Ocean
Ridge.

14. What type of plate boundary is the San Andreas Fault?

15. What two plates make up the San Andreas Fault?

16. Why would you expect to see earthquakes on and near the San Andreas Fault?

17. What is the name of the two plates that are converging to create the Himalayan Mountains?

18. What type of plate boundary creates continental mountains?

19. What is the name of the trench that Challenger Deep is located in?

20. On your map, add 3 yellow ovals to represent possible locations for future earthquakes.

21. Why did you place the predicted earthquakes where you did on the map?

22. On your map, add 3 yellow squares to represent possible locations for future volcanoes.

23. Why did you place the predicted volcanoes where you did on the map?

24. On your map, add 3 large yellow stars to represent possible locations for future hotspots.

25. Why did you place the predicted hotspots where you did on the map?

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