Locating Earthquake Epicenters

by Eric Muller

Create a map of earthquake epicenters and define plate boundaries around the world.
This lesson may take a few months to complete, so be patient.

Below are two variations of this lesson: the individual version and the classroom version.

Classroom version:
1) Buy a Map of the world and a box of pushpins.
2) Go to the United States Geological Survey's earthquake page .
3) Stick a tack in the map where an Earthquake has occurred.
4) Return to the USGS Earthquake page every week and stick new pins in the map. Repeat this until a distinct pattern begins to appear.
5)
Option 1: Use different colored pins for different earthquake magnitudes.
Option 2: Use different colored pins to represent earthquake depth (0-100 km, 100-200 km, 200-300 km, >300km). The pattern of colors will eventually show where there are subduction zones.


Individual lessons:
1) Print the Map below.
2) Mark latitude and longitude on this map (If you need help with this click here. )
3) Go to the United States Geological Survey's earthquake page .
4) Make a mark on your map where ever an earthquake has occured.
5) Repeat this every week until a distinct pattern begins to appear.
6)
Option 1: Use different colored pins for different earthquake magnitudes.
Option 2: Use different colored pins to represent earthquake depth (0-100 km, 100-200 km, 200-300 km, >300km). The pattern of colors will eventually show where there are subduction zones.

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