PBS
Mountain Maker Earth Shaker
This resource gives an introduction to the theory of plate tectonics. It also has animations of four types of plate boundary interactions (convergent, divergent, transforming, collisional).
Curated OER
Plate Boundaries/plate Tectonics
Visit this site to learn more about the different types of plate boundaries. Includes color pictures and easy-to-understand examples of how and why plates move the way they do.
Curated OER
Extreme Science: A Lesson in Plate Tectonics
With its clickable map, this site provides text and graphics on spreading boundary, converging boundary, subduction zone, transverse boundaries and faults.
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Mapping Quake Risk
Learners use GIS to observe worldwide patterns of earthquakes and volcanoes and analyze the relationships of those patterns to tectonic plate boundaries. Then they identify cities at risk.
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Ring of Fire
Students identify plate boundaries as well as continents, countries, and bodies of water to become familiar with an area known as the "Ring of Fire."
PBS
Pbs News Hour Extra: You Don't Need a Seismograph to Study Earthquakes
Three part lesson plan will provide students with information about earthquakes and how to predict them using various Web sites. Activities include historical background on major earthquakes, investigating mechanical waves, and...
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Earthquake Faultline Earthquake Activities
This outstanding website provides an excellent variety of hands-on earthquake activities to help you understand what causes earthquakes.
National Geographic
National Geographic: Encyclopedia: Mantle
An in-depth look at the structure and composition of Earth's mantle, with lots of visuals. Covers lithosphere, Mohorovicic discontinuity, asthenosphere, transition zone, lower mantle, the d double-prime region, mantle convection, mantle...
University of Houston
University of Houston: Earthquakes
This exercise will help students understand the plate boundaries of earthquakes.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Plix: Independence vs. Dependence: Geological Stresses
[Free Registration/Login Required] An animation to illustrate the effects that different tectonic stresses have on rocks. Also included on the site is a short quiz over tension and compression.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Intraplate Earthquakes
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] How and why intraplate earthquakes occur away from plate boundaries.
Libre Text
Uc Davis Geo Wiki: Mantle Thermal Plumes
The vast majority of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur near plate boundaries, but there are some exceptions. Learn here all about mantle thermal plumes.
Other
Pangea: Alfred L. Wegener Biography
Two biographies of Wegener and his work including his theory on how raindrops form.
Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology
Iris: Pacific Northwest vs. Sumatra: Flash Rollover
This rollover compares the earthquake of 1700 in the Pacific Northwest with the 2004 Sumatra earthquake and tsunami.
Other
Scec: Wallace Creek Interpretive Trail
Go on a geologic adventure in this interactive, online trail guide to the Wallace Creek site on the San Andreas Fault.
Other
Bscs: Content Background Earth's Changing Surface
This is written to support and further your content learning about the dynamic nature of Earth's surface. The goal is for you to develop a conceptual understanding of landforms so that you will be able to more effectively teach...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Looking Into Earth With Gis
Multi-instructional activity activity where learners will work with data from a seismic wave model in a GIS (geographic information system) program. They will examine maps, select data, and produce graphs to explore variations in seismic...
Other
Geothermal Education Office
This resource for geothermal energy education features a slide show with instructive graphics.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Magnetic Evidence for Seafloor Spreading
How magnetic reversals on the seafloor provide evidence for seafloor spreading. [Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.]
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Magnetic Evidence for Seafloor Spreading
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] How magnetic reversals on the seafloor provide evidence for seafloor spreading.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Folds and Faults Study Guide
Review folds and faults using this review guide.