Our jigsaw earth

The shape of the continents is constantly changing. This article by Maureen McCorry (Geographical Institute, University of Copenhagen) and Pat Wilson explains some of reasons why.

Ideas for teaching about volcanoes and earthquakes

• Extracts from films and videos can provide a fun way of introducing or ending a series of lessons on tectonics. Pupils can be asked how realistic the film portrayal is of the real events.
• Ask pupils to do a web search of news sites to find archived articles on tectonic activity. Pupils undertake enquiry as to why the amount of destruction and loss of life vary between events. Which are the most important elements in determining the effect of a tectonic event, magnitude of the event, location, timing or the level of economic development of the country?
• Look at images of the aftermath of tectonic events and their effect on the landscape, surrounding environment and people. These can be found on the websites listed below and on www.rgs.org. Ask who, what, why, where, when and how the effects come about.
• Use cause and effect cards about a tectonic event to explain its effect on the people in the area. Remember the effects can be positive, for example scenic beauty encouraging tourism, fertile soils and mineral wealth, as well as negative.
• Use cards of key words and another set of their definitions to play 'key word snap'.

Other information

The Royal Geographical Society with the Institute of British Geographers website provides a case study, Colliding plates, about environmental hazards, their impact and environmental management in New Zealand. The ‘Geography in the news’ section of the website includes material on the same topic in The two tremors.

The Geological Society of London (1807) is the UK national society for geoscience. It produces a number of leaflets and teaching resources. Details can be found on www.geolsoc.org.uk/.

Many web pages describe and illustrate plate tectonic processes. Below are a number of attractive and informative sites.

pubs.usgs.gov/publications/text/dynamic.html
webspinners.com/dlblanc/tectonic/ptbasics.html
www.platetectonics.com/index.asp
www.scotese.com/default.htm
www.pbs.org/wnet/savageseas/deep-side-smokers.html
www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/fosrec/Metzger3.html

The Natural History Museum of London publishes useful books on Earth Sciences. See more on www.nhm.ac.uk/shop/index.html.