Earthquake !

In this journey around the Web, you'll discover what causes earthquakes, where they occur most often, how to prepare for an earthquake, and much, much more! You’ll even create your own quake and assess the damage that occurs.

Part A: Investigate how and where earthquakes happen. Click on the links after each question to find your answer. Write your answers in complete sentences below each question.

1. The rocky outer shell of the Earth is called the lithosphere.
It is cracked into a series of twelve sections called tectonic plates.

Which plate is the United States on? www.usatoday.com/graphics/news/gra/quake/frame.htm

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2. Describe convection in the mantle that causes the plates to move. http://education.sdsc.edu/optiputer/teachers/platetectonics.html (read#6 and click the flash animation button)

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3. The area where tectonic plates meet is called a plate boundary.
Describe the motions of the three basic types of plate boundaries. http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/visualizations/es0804/es0804page01.cfm?chapter_no=visualization

a. ________________________________________________________________________________

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b. ________________________________________________________________________________

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c. ________________________________________________________________________________

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4. Check out this hazard map showing probability for earthquakes.

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/research/hazmaps/products_data/images/nshm_us02.gif

a. Name the three states that have the highest risk of earthquakes.

_________________________ , ___________________________, __________________

b. In what hazard zone is your home located? ____________________________________

5. The top three states where earthquakes are most frequent make up _________% of all earthquakes that occur in the US. http://earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/states/top_states.php

6. Look at the plate tectonics map again from the link below.
Why do you think California has so many earthquakes but Florida doesn't?

www.usatoday.com/graphics/news/gra/quake/frame.htm

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7. Describe how earthquakes happen along faults. Under Stress

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8. Describe where the focus and epicenter of an earthquake are located in relation to the fault and surface. Click on “Focus of an Earthquake animation” here.

http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0072402466/student_view0/chapter16/animations_and_movies.html#

9. What are tsunamis? What causes them and how fast do they travel?
Make sure you hold your cursor over the picture to see the 3 steps in the tsunami.

www.usatoday.com/weather/tg/wtsunami/wtsunami.htm and also

http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0072402466/student_view0/chapter16/animations_and_movies.html#

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10. Use this animation to explain the relationship between earthquakes and volcanoes.
http://earth.leeds.ac.uk/dynamicearth/subduction/ringofire/index.htm

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11. Which earthquake is considered to be the most destructive to human life in history?

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/world/most_destructive.php

When? ______________________ Where? _____________________________________

Magnitude ___________________ Fatalities ______________________________________

12. Where on earth did most of the earthquakes happen in the last week? Describe the region. (Look for the highest concentration of boxes). Click on that area for a close up view.

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/recenteqsww/index.html

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13. On this map, what does the size of the orange, yellow or red box mean?

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14. Use this map to look at the most recent US earthquakes.
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Maps/region/N_America.php

Were there any earthquakes in the US within the last hour?

Location __________________ Date ________________ Time__________ Magnitude ________

If none in the last hour, what was the most recent earthquake in the US in the last day?

Location __________________ Date _______________ Time __________ Magnitude ________

15. Did You Feel It? On this link, try to find the most recent earthquake in NY.
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/dyfi.php

Location __________________ Date _______________ Time ___________ Magnitude _______

Part B: Make A Quake

The amount of destruction an earthquake causes depends on several factors: how the building is constructed, the ground it sits upon, and the size of the earthquake. Follow this link:

http://tlc.discovery.com/convergence/quakes/interactives/makeaquake.html

You will select: the ground the building is standing on, the type of building materials used (prevention), and the magnitude (size/energy) of the earthquake. Record in the chart below.

“Make your Quake” and then describe the damage in the chart as well.

Record at least 3 situations. Did you make your building fall down?

16. Complete the chart below:

Trial #	Ground	Prevention (building construction	Magnitude	Describe the Damage
1
2
3

Part C: Earthquake hazards and safety

17. Describe three hazards (dangers) of an earthquake: http://www.geo.mtu.edu/UPSeis/hazards.html

a. ___________________________________________________________________________

b. ___________________________________________________________________________

c.___________________________________________________________________________

Look at both sites and the movies:

http://www.csu.edu.au/faculty/health/aemf/HDS/chapter_8.htm (scroll down to bottom)

http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/visualizations/es1005/es1005page01.cfm?chapter_no=visualizations

18. Summarize what you should do during and earthquake.

a. indoors:_____________________________________________________________________

b. outdoors:____________________________________________________________________

19. What should you do right after an earthquake?

a. ____________________________________________________________________________

b. ____________________________________________________________________________

20: What should you have in an earthquake emergency kit and why do you need it?

a. ____________________________________________________________________________

b. ____________________________________________________________________________

c. ____________________________________________________________________________

Follow the link and take the quiz. http://www.firepals.org/FPQuizE.html

What was your score? ______________________________

Part D: Fun Earthquake Facts – extra credit

Click on the Cool Earthquake facts link. http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learning/kids/facts.php

Select 3 facts from the list that you find interesting and did not previously learn in the webquest.

Summarize the facts below by writing a question for the fact and a short answer below it.

For example:

Question: When was the largest earthquake in US history?
Answer:The largest earthquake in US history was magnitude 9.2 that struck Prince William Sound, Alaska on Good Friday, March 28, 1964.

Read through the list…don’t just pick the first three.

A. Question: _______________________________________________________________

Answer: ____________________________________________________________________

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B. Question: ________________________________________________________________

Answer: ____________________________________________________________________

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C. Question: _______________________________________________________________

Answer: ____________________________________________________________________

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