Global distribution of earthquakes and volcanoes
I can explain how most earthquakes and volcanoes are located at plate margins.
Global distribution of earthquakes and volcanoes
I can explain how most earthquakes and volcanoes are located at plate margins.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- There is a pattern in the global distribution of earthquakes.
- There is a pattern in the global distribution of volcanoes.
- The global distribution of earthquakes and volcanoes coincides with plate margins.
Keywords
Epicentre - the point on Earth's surface that is directly above where an earthquake happens underground
Magnitude - a measure of the energy released by an earthquake
Margin - the boundary where tectonic plates meet
Hotspot - an area in Earth's mantle where unusually hot magma rises toward the surface, creating volcanic activity
Common misconception
That both volcanoes and earthquakes occur at all types of plate margin.
While earthquakes are produced by tectonic movements at all plate margins, volcanoes are not found at conservative plate margins.
To help you plan your year 10 geography lesson on: Global distribution of earthquakes and volcanoes, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 geography lesson on: Global distribution of earthquakes and volcanoes, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 4 geography lessons from the Natural and tectonic hazards unit, dive into the full secondary geography curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
it is oceanic or continental and 0 - 60 km thick
it is solid, made of iron and nickel with temperatures of up to 5500°C
thickest section of Earth at approximately 2900 km, made of magma
it is a liquid layer, also made up of iron and nickel
caused by movements of Earth’s crust and mantle
related to weather and climate patterns
involve the movement and distribution of water
involve surface processes on Earth’s surface
Exit quiz
4 Questions
the point on Earth's surface above where an earthquake started
a measure of the energy released by an earthquake
the boundary where tectonic plates meet
an area of the mantle that is usually hot and causes volcanic activity