Accretionary vs. erosive subduction margins
This module examines the nature and variability of subduction margins through examination of data sets that document subduction zone inputs, deformation, and resulting morphology in different settings.

The Plate Boundary Fault of the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake: Oceanic Provenance and Earthquake Genesis
This is one component of the Seismogenic zone Experiment Mini Lessons This mini lesson provides an example of how stratigraphy influences tectonics, and vice versa. The magnitude 9 Tohoku earthquake slipped a ...

Plate Tectonics as Expressed in Geological Landforms and Events
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.

Historical Earthquakes and Uplift/Subsidence of Sumatra from Coral Growth Rings -- Advanced Version
In this lab, students will use data from real corals collected in Sumatra to track the sea-level and earthquake record of the region over the past century.

From Ocean Topography to Flexural Rigidity
Students will use the available bathymetric datasets to test the utility of a flexural rigidity model of oceanic crust.

Overview: Seismogenic Zone Experiment Mini-Lessons

The spectrum of fault slip
Introduction to the different types of slip behaviors that can occur on subduction thrust, and comparative analysis of data sets derived from earthquakes and slow slip events to learn to discriminate among events.

Burial, compaction, and porosities in a subduction zone
In this activity, students look at how sediments compact as they are buried in a subduction zone and explore how rapid burial can lead to increased water pressure.

Fire and Ice: Identify and compare volcanic and glacial features on land and seafloor.
Bathymetry and topography are used to identify and compare glacial and volcanic features of the Sand Point area, Alaska.

What Can (and Cannot) Be Learned from Scientific Drilling Using Examples from Margins Initiatives
This is a lecture segment that could be introduced to an introductory geoscience class to help explain and demonstrate what can and cannot be found out by scientific drilling.