PLATE TECTONICS

MELC 1: Describe and relate the distribution of active

volcanoes, earthquake epicenters, and major mountain belts to
Plate tectonic Theory
WHAT IS PLATE TECTONICS?
INTRODUCTION:

@ Volcanoes and earthquakes are found across the globe. They are
closely associated with activity in the crust.

@ In this lesson, you will know the locations of several volcanoes and
earthquakes and then use the map of those locations to reinforce our
understanding of plate tectonics, volcano formation and earthquake
occurences.
Tectonic Plates
Plates move slowly but constantly and this movement
is called TECTONICS; thus the theory of moving
lithospheric plates is called PLATE TECTONICS.
How Plate Tectonics relate to the occurence of an
earthquake?
Plate Boundaries
- An area on the margins of tectonic plates where seismic, volcanic and tectonic
activity takes place as a consequence of the relative motion of plates.
This map shows how some of the world's volcanoes and
earthquakes occur along tectonic plate boundaries.
ASSESSMENT: True or False
1. Most active volcanoes are located along plate boundaries.
2. Earthquake epicenters clusters on areas from from plate
boundaries.
3. Volcanoes outline the Pacific Ocean forming the Pacific Ring of
Fire.
4. Earthquake epicenters mostly lie on locations near active
volcanoes.
5. Places on earth where most mountain belts are formed marked
the boundaries of lithospheric plates
How to Locate the Epicenter of an Earthquake?