East Coast Earthquake, August 2011

The 5.9 magnitude earthquake felt along the East Coast of the United States on August 23, 2011 may have your students wondering what they experienced and how they might be affected by natural disasters. These resources will help you explain earthquakes to your class. We have reference materials that explain the different causes of earthquakes and information on where earthquakes generally occur. You'll also find worksheets and hands-on science activities to further students' understanding of plate tectonics and seismic activity.

Activities & Worksheets How Do Earthquakes Cause Damage? In this Earth science printable, students will evaluate true/false statements about earthquakes and tsunamis. As a skill challenge, they will sequence numbers on the Richter scale and classify each earthquake by how much damage it is likely to cause. Science and Technology: Earthquake! Students draw before and after pictures of the scene of an earthquake. Science, Technology and Society: Quake Meters This worksheet teaches students about the various ways that we can measure and predict earthquakes. Seismographs are discussed. Students are then asked to respond to the reading on an included worksheet. Plate Tectonics and Earthquakes Activity Using reference materials, students will research the location of ten earthquakes and complete a chart with the latitude and longitude for each location. Then, they will plot each location on a map and determine which tectonic plates moved to cause each earthquake. Reading Warm-Up 62 for Gr. 3 & 4: Science Teach your students about earthquakes while improving their reading comprehension skills. This printable warm-up includes a science reading passage and related questions. What Are Earthquakes? Review the science of earthquakes with the true/false section and skill challenge in this printable. Students will demonstrate knowledge of key terms and label diagrams of a seismograph and the Earth's crust. Earth Processes: Family Activity Suggest a family activity to parents that focuses on Earth processes such as earthquakes, volcanoes, and plate tectonics, and on vocabulary words related to Earth. What Are the Different Kinds of Seismic Waves? Students will use their knowledge of physics and Earth science to interpret diagrams and answer questions about seismic activity. This printable challenges students to classify S-waves, P-waves, and L-waves by the characteristics listed in the table. Science and Language Arts: Earth Processes Students draw from a list of words, including such words as lithosphere and plate tectonics, to make a picture atlas of the earth's geologic history. Hands-On Science Lessons Earthquake Waves In this activity, students create model buildings from toothpicks. Using Jell-O, sand, and modeling clay, they then simulate earthquake activity to test the stability of their structures. Modeling the Effects of Fault Movements Students create a model to show the effects of strike-slip, normal, and reverse faults on a surface feature, such as a river, road, or fence. Assesses their understanding of the different types of stress that occur in Earth's crust, and the different kinds of faults these stresses cause. Scoring rubric and background notes included. Modeling Plate Boundaries Students create a model for each of three types of plate boundaries: transform boundary, divergent boundary, and convergent boundary. Assesses their understanding of plate tectonics and plate boundaries. Scoring rubric and background notes included. Modeling Plate Movement Students develop a working model of plate divergence at the mid-ocean ridge and plate convergence at a trench. Assesses their understanding of the processes of sea-floor spreading, plate divergence, and plate convergence, which shape the ocean floor. Scoring rubric and background notes included. What Are Some Effects of Plate Tectonics? Students will review the effects of plate tectonics as they match each natural disaster or landform on Earth to its cause. As a skill challenge, they will study and analyze a diagram of several volcanoes in this science printable.

General References Eyewitness: Volcano & Earthquake Discover the power of volcanoes and earthquakes, from hot spots to tsunamis, in this visually-stunning guide. Movement of Seismic Waves This geophysics printable illustrates the movement of seismic waves during an earthquake. Earthquakes Explore connections in mathematics and nature with this article on earthquakes. Earthquake Quiz This quiz will assess knowledge of earthquakes. Earthquake! The San Francisco earthquake of 1906 had far-reaching effects. Read about it and then explore the related activities. Maps & Mapping Activities Virginia State Map with Physiography Outline map of Virginia with state physiography. Maryland State Map with Physiography Outline map of Maryland with state physiography. Map of Maryland & DC Use a printable outline map that depicts the state of Maryland and the District of Columbia. Seismic Risk Map Activity Use the map and key in this printable to evaluate the earthquake risk of different regions in the United States. Earthquake Map Key Use this worksheet to help students read map keys. What Is the Ring of Fire? Students will use their knowledge of geography and Earth science to answer questions about the Ring of Fire in this worksheet. As a skill challenge, they will interpret a map and consider the effects of earthquakes, volcanoes, and fault lines. Safety Preparation Materials Survival Kits The best way to handle a disaster is to be prepared, as students learn in this printable. Getting Ready for Earthquakes Students answer questions about earthquake preparations and safety. They also learn about earthquakes in the developing world. Science, Technology and Society: Earthquakes Distribute a reading selection and an assignment on earthquake science, predictions, and safety. Teaching Disasters & Crises Cause and Effect A cause and effect analysis is an attempt to understand why things happen as they do. Use this resource to help your students understand the effects of various events and actions, so they have a better grasp on the way the world operates. Helping Kids Cope in a Time of Crisis and Fear Peruse an article that is intended for parents, but has useful advice for teachers. It details, by age levels, how to explain horrific events to children. Impact of Disaster on Students with Exceptionalities How to prepare your exceptional students during disasters both on school campuses and in their respective communities. Intervention Strategies for Disaster How to prepare yourself and your class for disasters. More on Helping Students Deal with Crises Other Natural Disasters Be prepared for future wide-scale natural disasters with lessons and materials on volcanoes, floods, hurricanes, tsunamis, and tornadoes. Floods Hurricanes Tornadoes Tsunamis Volcanoes More Natural Disasters – Teacher Resources