Students are asked to write an explanation of why earthquakes and volcanic eruptions tend to "cluster" in certain belts and areas of the Earth's crust and not in others. Use your knowledge of convection in the crust and plate tectonics to predict where such disasters might affect North and Central America.

Adaptation (D)
At least two major disasters have occurred recently (2004-2005) that were caused by the movement of the earth's plates. Students are asked to respond to the following questions regarding these two disasters: Where were these located? How were their causes alike and different? How could these disasters be better predicted, both in scope and location? What recommendations would you provide to government and relief agencies in order for them to be better prepared to serve people's needs before and after such emergencies?

Students are asked to build a model, using different colors of clay, to demonstrate earth plates and plate tectonic movements.

*Evidence, Models and Explanation

Students are asked to create sketches on a black or white board to describe how convection currents in the mantle drive the movements of tectonic plates on the surface. Use a large beaker of boiling water to help illustrate your sketches if you need.

*Evidence, Models and Explanation

*Unifying Concept (NSES) represented in this activity. Unifying concepts cross curricular areas and provide students with productive and insightful ways of thinking about and integrating basic ideas that explain the natural and designed world.