Using Google Earth to Explore Plate Tectonics

This page is authored by Laurel Goodell, Department of Geosciences, Princeton University. It was inspired by, and borrows from, the GIS-based Exploring the Dynamic Earth series of Saquaro exercises authored by Michelle K. Hall, Science Education Solutions, Los Alamos, NM (http://www.scieds.com/).

This material was originally created for On the Cutting Edge: Professional Development for Geoscience Faculty
and is replicated here as part of the SERC Pedagogic Service.

Summary

In this assignment, students are introduced to Google Earth and start by exploring the major physiographic features of the continents and seafloor. They are then provided with additional layers to add to their versions of Google Earth, and further explore data related to plate tectonics. A compiled kmz file is provided with includes layers showing seafloor age, locations and depths of 20 years worth of large earthquakes, dynamically updated locations of the last 7-days of earthquakes plotted by both magnitude and depth, volcano locations, and locations and types of major plates and plate boundaries. A guided exploration of these data serves as an introduction to plate tectonics and is a natural stepping-stone to other exercises (e.g. determining plate motions).

Learning Goals

Students learn how to use Google Earth and become familiar with the some of the important data on which the theory of plate tectonics is based. As a culminating (and assessment) activity they sketch a cross-section across three major plate boundaries - from the African plate, across the South Atlantic plate, across the Nazca plate, and ending in the middle of the Pacific Plate.

Context for Use

This exercise is appropriate for introductory level geoscience students – both those planning on majoring in geology as well as those taking the course for interest or to fulfill a science distribution requirement. Using Google Earth avoids the cost issues and steep learning curve that can be associated with using ArcGIS to do similar exercises.

As plate tectonics is covered in lecture and textbook reading, students compete this as a self-paced preparation assignment before coming to a lab session in which they track plate motions with a variety of methods. Depending on a student's previous experience with Google Earth and plate tectonics, the exercise typically takes 2-4 hours. No background is assumed, although it is helpful for students to have have a basic knowledge of global geography.

Description and Teaching Materials

Materials include the student handout, and a Google Earth kmz file with data layers compiled from other sources. These sources are given in the kmz file description below, and are also visible within Google Earth when the layers are used.
Student handout for Using Google Earth to Explore Plate Tectonics (Microsoft Word 146kB Sep3 10)
Google Earth kmz file with data for Plate Tectonics assignment (KMZ File 1.3MB Sep3 10)

Teaching Notes and Tips

Assessment

The last question serves as an appropriate assessment - students sketch a cross-section across three major plate boundaries. By assessing the sketch, the instructor can gauge the level and accuracy of student understanding. The sketches also serve as a natural springboard for discussion about various aspects of plate tectonics.

References and Resources

See more Examples of Google Earth Activities »

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