How to Use This Simulation
Step 1: Press Play to start. Watch stress build between the plates.
Step 2: Choose a boundary type (divergent, convergent, or transform) and observe the earthquake patterns.
Step 3: Adjust the plate speed slider and compare how earthquake frequency and magnitude change.
Keyboard: Press Space to play/pause, R to reset.
Data Journal — Record & Analyze Your Experiments
| # | Plate Speed | Boundary | Earthquakes | Max Mag | Avg Depth | Observation |
|---|
PREDICT
Which boundary type do you think causes the MOST earthquakes? Which causes the DEEPEST? Why?
OBSERVE
Run each boundary type at the same plate speed. Compare earthquake count, magnitude, and depth. Record your data in the journal.
EXPLAIN
Using the words plate boundary, stress, and release, explain why earthquakes cluster at boundaries and why depth varies by type.
Key Concepts
- Plate boundaries are where most earthquakes occur — where Earth's rigid plates meet and interact.
- Divergent boundaries: Plates pull apart, magma rises to fill gaps, creating shallow earthquakes and new crust.
- Convergent boundaries: Plates collide, one subducts beneath the other, creating deep earthquakes, mountains, and trenches.
- Transform boundaries: Plates slide past each other horizontally, building stress that releases as powerful shallow earthquakes.
- Faster plate movement means more frequent stress buildup and earthquake release.