The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) contains a real-time database of global earthquake activity. From their USGS website, you can view up-to-date information on earthquakes throughout the world. There is a map of the world with a clock that counts down from the most recent seven days. As the clock ticks down, a square pops up on the map where there have been recent earthquakes. Take a look at the website, click Start Animation, and note that earthquakes happen everyday. Also, take note of where most of the earthquakes are located. Do you notice a trend?

On the USGS website, you can also browse information about specific locations throughout the world to find out about earthquakes in those locations. Browse through some of the information that is available there. Why do you think this information is maintained by a US government agency? Who would be interested in or would benefit from this information?

What trends do you notice about earthquake locations? Based on what you have learned about plate tectonics, what hypothesis can you present about why earthquakes happen where they do? Also, why do you think the USGS database is useful and who do you think benefits from it?