Using Linear Regression to Determine Plate Motions
Michelle Hall Wallace 2000 Journal of Geoscience Education v48 n4 p455

Abstract - Scientists commonly gather data and develop equations to describe relationships among data and variables using linear regression. Providing geoscience majors opportunities to determine physical relationships using regression techniques is important for their understanding of the nature of science. Fortunately, regressions are easily calculated with spreadsheet or statistics software, and, if the mathematical basis is well developed, students can understand the predictive power of a regression and apply it to many problems.
In the activity presented here, undergraduate geoscience majors use linear regression techniques to determine rates of Pacific-plate motion over the Hawaiian hotspot through time. Using age and location data for the Hawaiian-Emperor volcanic chain, students calculate the rate of plate motion for the entire chain and the separate components, then determine whether plate motion has been constant over time. Using latitude and longitude data, they determine the location of the bend in the volcanic chain. Finally, they develop a relationship between age and location to make predictions about where existing volcanoes will lie in the future and the age of the bend in the volcanic chains. Students are introduced to error analysis by examining data errors and learning about the sources of those errors and by evaluating formal errors calculated in the regression analysis.


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Subject: Geoscience:Geology:Tectonics
Special Interest: Quantitative
Resource Type: Journal Article
Research on Learning: Geoscience Expertise:Complex SystemsKeyword: Education - computer assisted; education - geoscience; education - undergraduate; miscellaneous and mathematical geology; plate tectonics.