In this lesson, students gain an understanding of the geological forces that create the Ring of Fire and its effect on distinct cultures.
In this activity, you will create a multimedia report describing what creates the Ring of Fire and comparing how seismic events have influenced the cultures of two distinct societies that live along the Ring of Fire.
Follow the steps below to guide your students through this lesson plan. See student handout link at right.
Software: Microsoft Bing or online encyclopedia.
What to do: Conduct basic research on the Ring of Fire.
Review some of the societies that live along the Ring of Fire. This will be a good starting point for picking the cultures you will research.
What to do: Research two different societies that live along the Ring of Fire.
Hint: Use Microsoft Bing to explore your subject's region.
What to do: Write a report about the different ways societies respond to living along the Ring of Fire.
Have your students list examples of natural phenomena: hurricanes, tornadoes, volcanic eruptions, thunderstorms, mudslides, and floods. Discuss what makes earthquakes different from the rest.
Scientists can say where major earthquakes are most likely to occur. They can even make general predictions by detecting where pressure is building along fault lines. But these predictions are made in terms of decades, not months or days.