Topic: Earth’s Structure and Plate Tectonics

Subject: Earth Science / Geography
Grade level: 7–9
Duration: 1–2 lessons (45 minutes each)
Tools: Google Earth, USGS Earthquake layer (or similar KML file), printed or digital worksheet

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Learning Objectives

Students will:

• Identify the locations of major tectonic plate boundaries.

• Explore the relationship between plate boundaries and earthquake activity.

• Develop skills in interpreting geospatial data.

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Preparation

• Download and import a KML file showing recent earthquake locations (available from USGS). Detailed instructions for this part can be found below (“Working with KML files”).

• Prepare a worksheet that asks students to describe patterns they see, and connect them to plate boundary types (convergent, divergent, transform).

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Lesson Structure

Lesson: Earthquake Mapping

1. Introduction (5 min): Ask students where they think earthquakes happen most often and why.

2. Mini-lecture (10 min): Brief review of Earth’s structure and types of plate boundaries.

3. Google Earth activity (25 min):

   • Open Google Earth and load the earthquake layer.

   • Students observe the global distribution of earthquakes.

   • Overlay the tectonic plate boundaries (can be added as a KML or from existing layers).

   • Students answer: What is the relationship between the two? Where are the most active zones?

4. Wrap-up (5 min): Discuss key findings. Are there patterns? What surprises you?

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Extension

Students choose one region (e.g., Japan, California, or the Andes) and investigate the local tectonic activity and its effects on society.

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Assessment

• Annotated map or screenshot showing earthquake zones and plate boundaries

• Worksheet with data analysis and conclusions

• Optional: Short research report on one earthquake-prone region

 

 

Working with KML files

📄 What does KML stand for?

KML stands for Keyhole Markup Language.
It’s a file format based on XML that’s used to display geographic data in applications like Google Earth and Google Maps.

KML files can contain:

• Points (locations)

• Lines (e.g., paths, rivers)

• Polygons (e.g., country borders, tectonic plates)

• Image overlays

• 3D models

• Time-based animations

• Pop-up information boxes

Think of it like a “digital layer” you can lay over the Earth’s surface to add interactive, location-based content.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you find, download, and open a KML file with recent earthquake data from the USGS and use it in Google Earth for classroom activities:

Step-by-Step Instructions: Using Earthquake Data from the USGS in Google Earth

✅ Step 1: Go to the USGS Earthquake Data Website

1. Open your web browser and go to the official USGS earthquake map page:
   🌐 https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/map

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✅ Step 2: Customize the Earthquake Data Display

2. On the interactive earthquake map, you’ll see recent earthquakes displayed around the world.

3. In the right-side “Settings”, adjust:

   • Time range (e.g., past day, past 7 days, past 30 days)

   • Magnitude (e.g., all magnitudes, 2.5+, 4.5+)

   • Other filters as needed (depth, location, etc.)

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✅ Step 3: Download the KML File

4. After adjusting the settings:

   • Click on the “Download” icon at the end of the list.

   • Select “KML for Google Earth” under the download options.

   OR go directly to the USGS real-time feeds page, which includes KML options:
   🌐 https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/feed/v1.0/kml.php

5. On that page, you’ll see options like:

   • Past hour/day/week

   • Magnitude ranges (e.g., M1.0+, M2.5+, M4.5+)

   Example: To show all earthquakes M2.5+ from the past 30 days, click:
   “2.5+ Earthquakes, Past 30 Days”

6. A .kml file will download to your computer. (You may need to right-click > “Save As…” on some browsers.)

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✅ Step 4: Open the KML File in Google Earth

🔹 If you’re using Google Earth Pro (desktop version):

7. Open Google Earth Pro.

8. Go to File > Open.

9. Select the downloaded .kml file from your Downloads folder.

10. The earthquake data will appear on the globe, with clickable icons showing location, magnitude, depth, and time.

🔹 If you’re using Google Earth Web (browser version):

Google Earth Web doesn’t support .kml file import directly yet, but you can:

• Convert KML to a shareable project via Google Earth Projects (using Google Drive), or

• Use Google My Maps as an alternative.

If you prefer web-based access only, I recommend Google Earth Pro for this activity, as it’s the most flexible for KML use.

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✅ Step 5: Explore and Analyze

• Click on the earthquake icons on the map to read detailed information (magnitude, date, depth, region).

• Zoom in to view tectonic settings.

• Compare patterns with a tectonic plate boundaries layer (search for and download a tectonic plate KML from trusted sources like NOAA or educational portals).

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💡 Classroom Tip

You can combine this KML data with other layers (like tectonic plates or population density) to explore:

• Plate boundaries and earthquake clustering

• Human vulnerability to natural disasters

• Real-time Earth system interactions

 

📦 Pre-packaged KML Set for Classroom Use

📥 How to Use

1. Open Google Earth Pro.

2. Go to File > Open, and select one or more KML files.

3. Layers will appear in the “Places” panel on the left.

4. Click checkboxes to turn them on/off.

5. Click icons on the map to explore details (magnitude, plate names, etc.).

 

A selection of KML files for testing can be found here:

https://www.usgs.gov/programs/earthquake-hazards/google-earthtmkml-files

Sometimes you receive KML files in compressed form. A KMZ file is a compressed version of a KML file — the “Z” stands for “zipped.”

• KML (Keyhole Markup Language) files contain geographic data: points, lines, polygons, images, etc., that Google Earth can display.

• A KMZ (Keyhole Markup Language Zipped) file packs the KML file together with any related resources (like images, 3D models, or other KML files) into a single compressed file — similar to a .zip archive.

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What’s inside a KMZ file?

A .kmz file usually contains:

• A main .kml file

• Folders with icons, images, or overlays used in the KML

• Sometimes additional KML files

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How to use a KMZ file in Google Earth

1. Open Google Earth Pro (desktop)

2. Go to File > Open

3. Select the .kmz file — Google Earth will unpack and display the data just like a regular KML.

💡 You don’t need to unzip it manually — Google Earth handles it automatically.

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Optional: Unzipping a KMZ (if needed)

If you’re curious about what’s inside:

1. Rename the file from .kmz to .zip

2. Open it with any zip utility (like Windows Explorer, 7-Zip, or WinRAR)

3. You’ll see the .kml and any additional files inside