This investigation will help you to:

1. Model convection, a transfer of energy within the geosphere that drives the movement of Earth's plates.
2. Learn how scientists used evidence from rocks on the ocean floor to develop a new theory that could explain continental drift.
3. Understand why plate tectonics theory accounts for why most earthquakes and volcanoes are found in linear patterns.

Educator's Guide to Convection
Jet Propulsion Laboratory

This page includes a brief discussion on convection and links to see photos or animations that demonstrate convection.

Some Unanswered Questions About Plate Tectonics
USGS

What drives the plates? This article aims to explain the connection between plate movement and convection.

Plate Tectonic Theory
James Madison University

This page shows a cross section of the lithosphere and describes the movement of the earth's crust.

Earth's Lithosphere
National Air and Space Museum

See the lithosphere in context in terms of the shape of the earth, plate movement, and drifting continents.

The Earth at Work
PBS OnLine

This web site accompanies the PBS Series Savage Earth and includes background information on the structure of the Earth's interior.

Mid-Ocean Ridges
UC Santa Barbara

It is the longest mountain chain, the most active volcanic area and until recently, the least accessible region on the earth. New maps reveal striking details of how segments of the ridge form and evolve.

MAR: Descent to the Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Scripps Institute of Oceanography Follow the exhibition by a Scripps researcher and an entire scientific team, as they guided the deep submersible Alvin to probe the depths of the North Atlantic - exploring undersea mountains of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.

Developing the Theory
USGS

Learn about the development of the theory of mid-ocean ridges.

Juan de Fuca Subduction - Juan de Fuca Ridge - Cascade Range
CVO USGS

Read more about the currently active Axial Seamount which lies on the Juan de Fuca Ridge off the coast of Washington.

Crust and Lithosphere
The Geological Society of London

This article addresses the differences in terminology between crust and mantle versus lithosphere and asthenosphere.

Plate Tectonics
Life in the Universe

Why are plate tectonics so important? Learn more about the lithosphere and plate movements.

What on Earth is Plate Tectonics?
USGS

Check out this page that offers brief descriptions about the Earth's interior for beginners and links to more detailed information for those more curious.

Plate Tectonic Animations
USGS

See several different animations of Earth processes. Each animation comes with a short sentence description.

Rocks Form Where Plates Collide
USGS

Find out where igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks from in a collision zone between oceanic crust and continental crust.

How to Build a Model Illustrating Sea-Floor Spreading and Subduction
USGS

This report describes how to build a model of the outer 300 km (180 miles) of the Earth that can be used to develop a better understanding of the principal features of plate tectonics, including sea-floor spreading, the pattern of magnetic stripes frozen into the sea floor, transform faulting, thrust faulting, subduction, and volcanism.

Savage Earth, Restless Planet: Earthquakes
PBS

This web site accompanies the PBS Series Savage Earth and includes background information on the connection between faults, earthquakes, and seismic waves.

Virtual Courseware: Earthquake
Virtual Courseware

This site contains detailed pictures of earthquake damage. There are also activities such as travel time and epicenter to use along with a demonstration.

Earthquakes, Faults, Plate Tectonics, Earth Structure
USGS

Read answers to some commonly asked questions about earthquakes, faults, and plate tectonics. In some cases, the answers include links for further information.

Earthquakes and Plate Tectonics
USGS Earthquakes Hazards Program

This article aims to explain why earthquakes happen along plate boundaries, and often in the same area as volcanoes or mountain ranges.

Plate Tectonics, the Cause of Earthquakes
Nevada Seismological Laboratory

Review a technical explanation with images of different types of faults, spreading centers, or collision zones in connection to earthquakes.