BAESI                                                             Name_________________________________

Earthquake and Volcano Mapping With GIS

(Modified from http://www.geography.org.uk)

You are going to investigate the geographical and tectonic distribution of earthquakes and volcanoes using a web-based GIS.  

I.    What is a GIS?

      Go to http://www.foothill.fhda.edu/fac/klenkeit/gis/#what

      What does GIS stand for? ________________________________

      How is a GIS used?

II.   Quake/Volcano Mapping

1.   Go to http://tsunami.geo.ed.ac.uk/local-bin/quakes/mapscript/home.pl

2.   Click on the ‘Quake Mapping’ tab.

        In the Physical Data column:

            -  Make sure the ‘Topographic Background’ checkbox is unticked.

            -  Check the following

 Plate boundaries (by type)  

 Volcanoes  

       In the Earthquake Data column:                                                                                           

- Check "This week's earthquakes"

3.   Now click on ‘Refresh map’ to update the display. You should be left with a map of the                 world showing earthquakes, volcanoes and plate boundaries.  Use the map to answer the         questions below.

III. Questions  

 1.  Circle the correct statement:

a.    All the volcanoes are found at plate boundaries.

b.   Most volcanoes are found at plate boundaries, although there are some exceptions, e.g. in the middle of the Pacific Plate.

c.   Most volcanoes are found at plate boundaries, although there are some exceptions, e.g. in the middle of the South American Plate.

2.   Circle the correct statement:

a.   All the earthquakes are found at plate boundaries.

b.   Most earthquakes are found at plate boundaries, although there are some exceptions, e.g. in the middle of the Pacific Plate.

c.   Most earthquakes are found at plate boundaries, although there are some exceptions, e.g. in the middle of the South American Plate.

3.   Have there been any earthquakes registering over 6.0 in magnitude on the Richter scale        in the last week?

                        If the answer is yes, describe their locations and tectonic settings.

                  4.   Where does most of the recent earthquake activity seem to take place?

      Give details of the plate boundaries involved.

 5. Use the GIS to answer the following question below. Hint: Look at the "Human Data"         column).

      Where in the world would loss of life be greatest as the result of major earthquake with a     magnitude         greater than 7.5?

      Explain.