Plate Tectonics

Going abroad

A visit to Iceland, with its volcanic craters and lagoons, provides the perfect setting for learning about how plate movements have shaped (and continue to shape) the landscape. One of the youngest landmasses on Earth and still highly geologically active, a geography school trip to Iceland offers a glimpse into the past for your students.

On your plate tectonics-themed geography school trip to Iceland, your students will also learn more about how the daily lives of Icelanders are affected by tectonic hazards. They’ll learn more about how Iceland monitors its earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, and how the country responded to the dramatic eruption of Eyjafjallajökull in 2010.

They’ll also learn more about the perks of living on an island that is geologically active, such as the opportunity to harness geothermal energy to heat homes, greenhouses and even pavements! And, of course, the spectacular thermal pools which are so important to Icelandic culture and an absolute must-do when visiting.

A geography trip to the Auvergne in central France will give your students the chance to learn more about how volcanoes shape the landscape around them. And you can travel there by coach, reducing the carbon footprint of your trip and helping to protect the precious environments you plan to explore.

If you really want your students to see the effects tectonic hazards can have on the people who live in these geologically active places, a visit to Naples and Sorrento is unmissable. You will, of course, be able to visit the famous archaeological sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum, to find out more about the devastating eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 AD.

With Mt. Vesuvius designated a Decade Volcano, your students may well question why people are still living in the area. So, you’ll also be able to visit local producers to find out how, similarly to the Azores, the volcanic nature of the region has led to incredible produce and Naples’ reputation as one of the food capitals of Italy.

The island of Sicily is another popular destination – its varied landscapes and spectacular coastline support the study of varied ecosystems, and the impact of Europe’s tallest active volcano, Mount Etna, on the landscape is clearly visible. Your students will even be able to observe actual eruptive activity with a trip to Stromboli.

A school trip to the Azores offers students the opportunity to visit a volcanic landscape that is a little older than that of Iceland. They’ll still visit volcanoes and learn more about geothermal energy, but they’ll also learn about how the volcanic nature of the islands has influenced the agriculture on the islands and why they have such a fantastic reputation for their produce, especially when it comes to wines and dairy.

And for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, a trip to Japan is hard to beat. Sitting on the Pacific Ring of Fire, Japan has had to adopt various measures to keep people safe from the various tectonic hazards that threaten the country, including volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and tsunamis. You’ll be able to visit one of the education centres where locals learn how to survive such events. Here, you’ll experience a strong earthquake in a simulator.

Why focus on plate tectonics?

Bring geography to life

In the UK, we occasionally experience minor earthquakes, but we’re not at risk from severe earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Taking students to a country where those hazards are part of everyday life is eye-opening for them and helps them to understand the variety of ways that people deal with these risks.

They may wonder why people would choose to live in such dangerous places. But by visiting somewhere like Iceland, the Azores or Italy, they’ll see that there are some incredible benefits, such as fertile soil and a sustainable energy source.

And there’s nothing like seeing volcanoes, volcanic craters and geysers for yourself. This first-hand experience of plate tectonics and landscapes created by geological activity will stay with your students and help them to better recall the information when it comes to their exams.

Inspire them

Wherever you choose to go on your plate tectonics-themed geography trip, your students will be awestruck by the incredible landscape. Seeing geography in action for themselves and learning more about how the movement of the tectonic plates forges landscapes will show them how valuable your subject is when it comes to understanding the world around us.

They’ll learn more about the work that goes into monitoring and managing tectonic hazards and may even be inspired to explore careers in these exciting fields.

What is certain is that your students will return home having enjoyed an unforgettable educational experience that will give them a deeper understanding of this incredible planet that we live on.

Enjoy the trip as much as your students

Originally founded by former teachers, we understand the value of geography school trips and how to make them successful.

Your trip will be completely tailor made, to ensure that it meets your specific requirements and learning objectives. And we’ll be on hand throughout the process to answer any questions you have.

In fact, we’ll be with you every step of the way, from now until you return home at the end of your trip. While abroad, you’ll be able to reach us with just one phone call, at any time of the day or night. And, with this comprehensive level of support while you’re away, you’ll be able to relax and enjoy experiencing geography in action as much as your students.