Depending on a student's previous experience with Google Earth, background in plate tectonics, and ease with simple graphing and calculations, and how far the instructor wants to take it, the whole exercise typically takes several hours to a lab period or two. For our faster-paced introductory class typically taken by more quantitatively-able students including engineers, the less-guided versions is assigned as a problem set then discussed at precept. For example, for our hazards course for non-majors, I assign a portion of the more-explicitly guided version as a preparation assignment, then students complete the rest during a lab session. I have used it in a number of class settings. I submit two versions, one being slower-paced and more explicitly guided. This exercise is adaptable for all level of students, from introductory level students to more-advanced students wanting a crash course in plate tectonics.
