
What’s On Our Plates? is a set of multimedia learning modules designed to enable anyone to explore Aotearoa New Zealand’s active plate boundary online, including the Alpine Fault and Hikurangi subduction zone.
There are currently three What’s On Our Plates? learning modules, with more coming soon.
The first three modules have been aligned to Level 4-6 Achievement Objectives from the Science Learning Area of the New Zealand Curriculum and are accompanied by a Teacher Guide to support their use in the classroom. Each module ends with a quiz to test students learning.
Please note: The What’s On Our Plates? learning modules are best viewed on a desktop, laptop or tablet, they are not suitable for viewing on mobile phones or small screens. We recommend using Google Chrome, the maps will not work in Internet Explorer.
Module 2: Exploring Our Plate Boundary
Take a tour of Aotearoa New Zealand’s plate boundary, starting with the earth’s structure, tectonic plates, the Pacific Ring of Fire. Then explore where the Australian and Pacific plates meet.
Module 4: Discovering the Alpine Fault
Take a tour along the Alpine Fault, Aotearoa New Zealand’s on-land plate boundary and one of the longest natural straight lines in the world! Find out how it was discovered and learn what science can tell us about Alpine Fault earthquakes.