Plate Tectonics as Expressed in Geological Landforms and Events
Jeff Ryan, University of South Florida-St. Petersburg
This activity seeks to have students analyze global data sets on earthquake and volcano distributions toward identifying major plate boundary types in different regions on the Earth. A secondary objective is to familiarize students with two publicly available resources for viewing and manipulating geologically-relevant geospatial data: Google Earth(TM) and GeoMapApp.

Exploring Evidence of Plate Tectonics Using GeoMapApp
Sean Cornell, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
This activity requires students to explore a range of datasets that help substantiate Plate Tectonic Theory. Students investigate plate tectonic environments (convergent, divergent, transform boundaries), topography/bathymetry of continents and ocean basins, the distribution and pattern of earthquakes, the distribution of volcanoes, as well as ages of the sea-floor, and more.

A Geologic Safari of the East African Rift and the Newark Basin: Why these areas are more alike than you know
Margaret Benoit, The College of New Jersey
This activity explores the similarity and differences between the Newark Rift Basin and East African Rift.

Petrography and Petrogenesis of a Mid-Ocean Ridge Lava Suite
Matthew Smith, University of Florida; Mike Perfit, University of Florida
This activity is designed to accompany a set of thin sections available from the authors. Students investigate mid-ocean ride basalt petrography and relate observed mineralogic changes to relevant phase diagrams ...

Igneous Rock Compositions and Plate Tectonics
Kent Ratajeski, University of Kentucky
Allen Glazner and Kent Ratajeski Published July 28, 2005. Description In this exercise, students use whole-rock major- and trace-element compositions of igneous rocks from a variety of tectonic settings and ...

Serpentinite in Subduction Zones: How do we find it, and how common is it?
Jeff Ryan, University of South Florida-St. Petersburg
A mineralogical, petrological, and geophysical exploration of the role of serpentinite in subduction zones, as highlighted in the two NSF-MARGINS Subduction Factory focus sites.

From Ocean Topography to Flexural Rigidity
Andrew Newman, Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Students will use the available bathymetric datasets to test the utility of a flexural rigidity model of oceanic crust.

Hawaiian Islands: Volcano Ages, Hotspots and Plate Motion
The ages of volcanic rocks along the Hawaiian-Emperor seamount chain 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 ...

Major Element Control Presentation
Kurt Hollocher, Union College (Lincoln, NE)
The presentation is an introduction to the control of magma chemical compositions by the fractionation of crystallizing phases. It is followed by a lab exercise where students interpret volcanic rock petrology and ...

Online Investigation of an Island Arc Volcano: Anatahan, Mariana Arc
Jeff Ryan, University of South Florida-St. Petersburg
This activity is a Web investigation and research exercise starting with the 2003-present Anatahan volcanic eruptions in the Mariana arc, and concluding with a petrologic examination of published Mariana arc lavas data sets.