The following classroom activities will be conducted using our school computer labs. Students will complete a web-based earthquake scavenger hunt to explore some of the fundamental concepts of earthquake science. The scavenger hunt will involve exploring a number of predetermined reliable web sites such as those sponsored by the USGS. In addition, students will complete a group project on the study of an earthquake in United States history. Students will then prepare a 12 slide (minimum) presentation of their findings according to a rubric (see appendix)
Earthquake Scavenger Hunt
Students will view a slide show posted by USGS and complete a note page for each of the following. Following the slide show they will explore a number of sites and complete a couple of experiments.
The slide show is hosted at USGS and is free to duplicate and show to students. The site is http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learning/eq101/EQ101.htm
Terms to define and identify include:
Plate Tectonics
Plate Boundaries
Three Types of Faults
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Strike/Slip
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Thrust
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Normal
Scavenger Hunt Activities:
Students will tour a number of websites and then chose from a number of experiments to learn about characteristics of earthquakes.
The earth's interior:
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1. Find a website, list the url, and list the layers of the earth's interior from the core to the crust. 5pts
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2. Describe the composition of the earth's core. 5pts
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3. Find a site that describes the process of convection that occurs in the earth's interior. Write the url and define convection. 5pts
Plate tectonics
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4. Find a site that shows the major plates. Name the plates that relate to the United States. 5pts
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5. Find a site that describes plate boundaries. List and define different types of plate boundaries. 5pts
Fault types
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6. Find sites that show examples of the three types of faults seen in the slide show: strike/slip, normal, thrust fault. List the sites and where the faults are located. 5pts each.
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Total 40pts
An alternative activity is to conduct a fault demonstration experiment such as the one listed below
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learning/teachers/FaultFeatures.pdf
Investigating Earthquakes in United States History
Groups of students will be assigned one of a number of notable earthquakes in United States History. Students will construct a Power Point presentation after they research the event to identify a number of factors. These include:
Time, Place and Location
Historical reference points
Earthquake science points
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Intensity
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Magnitude
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Damage
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Subduction
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Faults
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Other:
Damages and casualties
Community and government response (see Preparedness and Response see USGS site http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learning/preparedness.php)
List of Earthquakes and source material
San Francisco Earthquake 1906
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http://earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/nca/virtualtour/earthquake.php
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http://earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/nca/virtualtour/photos.php
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http://earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/nca/virtualtour/global.php
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http://earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/nca/1906/simulations/
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http://earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/nca/1906/shockwaves/
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http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/2006/31/
1964 Alaska Earthquake
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http://neic.usgs.gov/neis/eq_depot/usa/1964_03_28.html
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http://wcatwc.arh.noaa.gov/64quake.htm
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http://wcatwc.arh.noaa.gov/web_tsus/19640328/19640328.htm
Seattle Earthquake February 28, 2001
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http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/science/jan-june01/seattle_2-28.html
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http://www.seattle.gov/fire/photoGallery/misc/miscMenu.htm
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http://archives.cnn.com/2001/US/02/28/northwest.quake.05/
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http://www.geophys.washington.edu/SEIS/EQ_Special/WEBDIR_01022818543p/welcome.html
Loma Prieta Earthquake 1989
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http://pubs.usgs.gov/dds/dds-29/
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http://earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/nca/1989/
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http://seismo.berkeley.edu/seismo/faq/1989_0.html
Six Point Rubric for Earthquake Presentation
Each of the following criteria will be assessed according to the six points outlined below.
Criteria
A. Presentation includes 12 slide minimum
B. Presentation sufficiently includes time, place, and location of the event.
C. Presentation includes at least one other significant news/historical event that takes place in United States history at the time of this earthquake.
D. The presentation addresses at least five of the following earthquake science components.
Faulting Magnitude Intensity Subduction Spreading Centers
Other: _________
E. The presentation includes an assessment of estimated monetary damages and casualties
F. The presentation describes community and government responses to the event
G. The presentation cites at least five reliable sources.
Six Points
6. Outstanding: Work exceeds the minimum standards. Mastery is evident.
5. Above average. Work exceeds the minimum standards.
4. Proficient: Student demonstrates the ability to fulfill criteria.
3. Acceptable. Work adheres to the criteria. There is room for improvement.
2. Work is incomplete or inaccurate
1. Work is incomplete or there are gross inaccuracies