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.

For more information:

• For more information on maps, click here.
  
• To find out why earthquakes happen in certain locations, click here.
  
• For even more information on earthquakes, click here.
  
  

  

  
  The map above came from Xerox Parc.