A course lecture on how the Earth's geological features have evolved through the movements of tectonic plates. Explains the different types of plate boundaries and how they manifest in geological formations. Also describes the structure...

This lesson teaches students about tectonic plates, plate boundaries, and their role in earthquakes and volcanoes.

A basic description of the driving force behind plate movement. Describes major features of the ocean floor including mid-oceanic ridges.

The ages of volcanic rocks are used to investigate speed of motion of the Pacific plate, to analyze the distinctive bend in the chain, and to consider the age data in the context of a hotspot model of formation.

This article in the Journal of Geoscience Education describes a classroom exercise based on four world maps containing earthquake, volcano, topographical and seafloor age data. Students participate in this exercise by using a "jigsaw"...

[Free Registration/Login Required] This site contains information and a quiz about how an island chain forms.

This website provides an explanation of earthquakes in words and pictures, beginning with this lesson on plate tectonics.

A PowerPoint slideshow converted to a PDF, with six slides per page. It explains what metamorphism is, the distribution of metamorphic rocks, the agents of metamorphism, the types of metamorphism, metamorphic grades or degrees, how...

Interactive website where students can learn about movement of earth's 15 major tectonoic plates and identify types of boundaries. Includes glossary and learning game.

Looking for more information about plate tectonics and what happens at plate boundaries? This site gives definitions of all plate boundaries as well as animations to help visualize what is happening.

In addition to exploring the inside of the earth, this unit will explore the consequences on the dynamics of the outer layers; it will deepen the knowledge of plate tectonics and the movement of the plates in the past. It includes 16...

[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] How mountains are formed as a result of plate tectonic processes.

The plate tectonics and other features of the Earth's lithosphere are explained and illustrated. Has links to definitions of the magnetosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere.

The Great Smoky Mountain National Park of North Carolina and Tennessee includes 16 mountains over 6,000 feet (about 2,000 m) high, making this generally the highest region in North America east of the Mississippi River. Gatlinburg is a...

In jigsaw groups, young scholars construct the Earth's tectonic plates using geologic maps. Skills such as careful observation, presentation, and synthesis are used to create a map that shows the type and location the plates.

Although scientists can neither precisely describe nor fully understand the forces that move tectonic plates, most believe that the relatively shallow forces driving the lithospheric plates are coupled with forces originating much deeper...

In this instructional activity, students will measure the distances between Hawaiian islands, and convert and graph their data to determine the speed of the Pacific Plate.

Learn about the theory of Plate Tectonics with this site that links to a site to order a CD-ROM that contains tools for learners to investigate the theory. On the CD-ROM is included virtual plate tectonics lecture, animations,...

In this interactive tutorial you will learn how pressure creates stress and strain on rocks. Learn how different types of strain are produced by different plate tectonic settings, and explore the different types of mountain ranges and...

This unit will focus on the geological characteristics of the world ocean, plate tectonics, and the mapping of the ocean floor.

A unit on plate tectonics designed for middle school students, this page must be read carefully to find the activities to be done in the class, but it provides a wealth of background for the teacher as well.

Study earthquakes, volcanoes, topography, plate tectonics, and sea level change using graphs, maps, and movies. Engage in earth science knowledge discovery, critically evaluate the data and results, and reach conclusions about the earth...

A rich collection of highly engaging learning modules on topics related to the natural environment. Covers four main areas - plate tectonics, forms and processes, weather and climate, and rainforest and desert. Within each of these,...

Journey into the past while reading this comprehensive overview of the Cambrian Period that covers topics such as the Cambrian Explosion, Burgess Shale fauna, trilobites, fossil evidence, and climate and plate tectonics.