Ring of Fire
Part 1: Earthquakes & Volcanoes
1. What patterns do you see on the volcano and earthquake activity maps of the Pacific Ocean area?
2. The edge of the Pacific Ocean is sometimes called the Ring of Fire. Why do you think it is called that? What might be going on below the surface to cause the Ring of Fire?
Part 2: Ocean Floor Maps
3. Examine the Ocean Floor Depth map. The deepest parts are shown in blue. The dark blue lines are ocean trenches. Where are the trenches? How do these relate to the Ring of Fire?
4. Examine the Ocean Floor Age map. Samples were taken from the ocean floor. The newest rocks are shown in red, followed by orange, yellow, and green. Is there a pattern? Where is the newest ocean floor? What could explain this?
5. What might be happening where there is a long ridge of youngest ocean floor?
Part 3: Ocean Floor Demo
6. Diagram of Demo:
7. Trace and label the Ring of Fire on your world map.
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