A MAJOR EARTHQUAKE…… CAN IT HAPPEN TO YOU?

Introduction

Earthquakes are one of the major natural disasters that occur on earth. They cause death and destruction all around them when they occur. Pretend that you live in an area where earthquakes are very common. What would you do? Would you move? Would you stay there? These are questions that people who actually do live in areas where earthquake occur have to ask themselves. There are many things that would come into consideration for these people such as how likely is it that the earthquake will actually happen. Earthquakes are a very interesting natural disaster, and through this web quest you will have the opportunity to learn all about them.

Task

An earthquake has hit your home town. It has destroyed many houses and buildings, and the people in your town are very afraid that it could happen again. They need to learn more about earthquakes and earthquake safety so they will know what to do if an earthquake strikes again. It is your job as a member of the natural disaster club, to find out as much as you can about this natural disaster and to educate the citizens of your town on earthquakes. As a team, you will use the web to find information about how to detect if an earthquake will occur and the tools used to do so, causes of earthquakes, and earthquake safety. Your task will be to design a pamphlet in order to educate the citizens of your town about earthquakes, and then present it at the next town meeting. Good Luck!

 

Process

In order to educate your fellow town members on earthquakes, you will work in teams of three, and each member of the team will take on a different job. You will each be assigned a different role to play. You will use the web resources that I have provided in order to complete your job. You will become an expert on what you find, and then you will have to educate the rest of your group members on your expertise of your job. You will then have to work together as a group to complete the pamphlet and present it to your fellow town members. The three roles, or jobs will be the seismologist, the geologist, and the safety expert. To help you stay organised, you may want to make a checklist, or chart of the information you have found. Each job is described below.

The Seismologist: Your job will be to find out about how you determine if an earthquake is going to occur. You will use the resources listed below in order to find out the different tools that are used in investigating earthquakes. Find at least three tools in order to inform the citizens of. Also, you will research what a Richter Scale is, and how seismologists use it to measure earthquakes.

http://www.planet-science.com/categories/over-11s/natural-world/2011/03/can-we-predict-earthquakes.aspx

http://www.ga.gov.au/scientific-topics/hazards/earthquake

http://www.earthquakecountry.org/roots/basics.html

http://www.weatherwizkids.com/?page_id=96

http://www.weatherwizkids.com/weather-earthquake.htm

https://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/kids/eqscience.php

https://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/kids/

http://eschooltoday.com/natural-disasters/earthquakes/what-is-an-earthquake.html

 

The Geologist: Your job will be to find out why and how earthquakes occur. You will have to describe how earthquakes occur, as well as where they are most commonly known to occur.

http://www.ga.gov.au/scientific-topics/hazards/earthquake/basics/where

https://www.iris.edu/hq/inclass/fact-sheet/why_do_earthquakes_happen

http://www.weatherwizkids.com/earthquake.htm

http://www.weatherwizkids.com/weather-earthquake.htm

http://www.geo.mtu.edu/UPSeis/where.html

http://www.geo.mtu.edu/UPSeis/why.html

https://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/kids/

http://eschooltoday.com/natural-disasters/earthquakes/what-is-an-earthquake.html

 

The Safety Expert: Your job will be to find out how you can protect yourself when an earthquake is about to occur, or is occurring. You will have to find at least seven tips to help your town members protect themselves during an earthquake. Safety of your town and townspeople is your biggest concern.

http://www.earthquakecountry.org/dropcoverholdon/

http://www.crew.org/what-you-can-do/protecting-yourself-and-your-family

http://www.police.uci.edu/em/EarthquakeSafetyTop10.pdf

https://earthquake.usgs.gov/hazards/

https://seagrant.uaf.edu/features/earthquake.php

http://www.weatherwizkids.com/earthquake.htm

http://www.weatherwizkids.com/weather-earthquake.htm

https://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/kids/

http://eschooltoday.com/natural-disasters/earthquakes/what-is-an-earthquake.html

Evaluation

 
 
 

 

Developing 1

Developing 2

Accomplished 3

 Exemplary  4

  

 
 

Presentation of Pamphlet

Poor presentation of information. Lacks enthusiasm. Not clear.

Shows some enthusiasm. Not very clear points or speaking.

Good presentation. Good energy. Clear points and speaking.

Above average presentation. Great energy. Very clear points and speaking.

    
 

Information/ Creativity of Pamphlet

Minimal amount of information. Poor illustrations.

Some of information and few illustrations.

Written well with good illustrations and colours.

Very well written and supported information. Very colourful with many illustrations.

    
 

Group Work

Did not work well together.

Many problems and lack of communication.

Few problems. Completed work. Average communication.

Work well. Good communication. Only a couple of problems.

Worked very well as a group. No problems. Great communication.

    
 

Individual Assessment on specific job quality

Poor information. Job failed. Only one source used.

Lacks some information. Not all goals met. Use of few sources.

Good information. Use of many sources.

Great information. Use of all sources. Very clear on information.

    

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully presented all of your information to your fellow town members.  They are now all experts on earthquakes thanks to you!  They now all know how to determine if an earthquake will occur, how they are caused, and how to keep safe from earthquakes. Be sure to remember this information if an earthquake is going to strike again!