Download Earth Science 2: Earthquakes

Earth Science 2: Earthquakes
Study the origin, nature, and effects of earthquakes beginning with a brief discussion of plate tectonics
followed by a series of small workstations. The lesson ends with the calculation of an earthquake epicenter,
and review of the days findings.
Audience:
5th–8th
MCAS:
th
MCAS 2014:
th
6 –8 ES5
“Describe how the movement of the earth’s crustal plates causes
both slow changes in the earth’s surface … and rapid ones (e.g., volcanic
eruptions and earthquakes).”
Math 4.P.5
“Solve problems involving proportional relationships, including
unit pricing … and map interpretation (e.g., one inch represents five miles, so
two inches represent ten miles).”
Math 6.M.3 Nearly identical to 4.P.5
Math 7.N.2 “Use ratios and proportions in the solution of problems involving
unit rates, scale drawings, and reading of maps.”
Math 5.MD.1 “Convert
among
different-sized
standard measurement units
within a given measurement
system (e.g., convert 5 cm to
0.05 m), and use these
conversions in solving multistep, real-world problems.”
Math 6.RP.2 “Use ratio and
rate reasoning to solve realIndirectly:
world and mathematical
Math 4.M.2 “Carry out simple unit conversions within a system of problems”
measurement, e.g., hours to minutes, ¢ to $, yards to feet or inches, etc.”
Math 7.M.1 Nearly identical to 4.M.2
Vocabulary:
Terms to know beforehand:
Terms defined in lesson:
• crust—the hard, rocky outer-layer of the Earth
• fault
• lithosphere—a name used for the combination of the Earth's crust and the
• Pangea
upper mantle, which are similar in nature
• tectonic plate
• mantle—thick layer of softened rock between the crust & core of the Earth
Related Modules:
ES03‒Cartographic Projections reviews and expands upon basic map literacy, especially the ability to evaluate
maps of an unfamiliar format; such as the two maps of differing projection used in the “Plate Tectonics”
workstation of this lesson. ES04‒Cartographic Symbology explores the visual language of maps, and ES05‒
Topographic Maps focuses on the use of maps to accurately convey information about the shape of the land.
ES09‒Rock Cycle discusses the three major types of rock, and E01‒Stress & Strain explores mechanical stress
in greater detail.
Safety:
In the final activity students will use drawing compasses, some of which may have sharp points.
Preparation:
It is recommended that students be comfortable using metric rulers, map scales, and ideally drawing compasses.
You might have students use a metric ruler to set drawing compasses of a specific diameter, and compare the
sizes of different circles by cutting them out and trying to fit them into one another. Although it is not possible
to pack circles perfectly, students should note that the area increases at a greater rate than the diameter; A=πr2
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© 2013 Science from Scientists
Additional Resources:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=gFB-qpiKccs — Video1 (3:51), Can we predict earthquakes?
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Mny6eRxhdpc — Video (7:52), Range triangulation of an earthquake
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Jq1UIfHk-7c — Video (6:09), Directional triangulation of wildlife
http://youtube.com/watch?v=GYBbVNpMlUU — Video (6:47), Directional triangulation of MA radio stations
http://ohhs.ohsd.net/~brick/ear/era_eq_sw.htm — Epicenter triangulation activity
http://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a000000/a001200/a001288/index.html — Tectonic plate boundaries on globe (alt)
http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/about/edu/dynamicplanet/ballglobe/ — Tennis ball tectonic globes
http://gearthhacks.com/dlfile20572/Tectonic-Plates.htm — Plate boundaries for Google Earth, preview in G. Maps
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/kml.php — Additional Google Earth (KML) files; to view with Google Maps, copy
the URL of a link to a KML or KMZ file and paste it into the search field of Google Maps, may be slow to load
http://exploratorium.edu/origins/antarctica/ideas/gondwana2.html — Pangea separation (Flash)
http://sciencemag.org/content/336/6089/1654.full — An approach to teaching earthquakes with the USGS website
http://washingtonpost.com/2011/08/24/gIQAZrXQcJ_story.html — Animal reactions to earthquakes
http://classic.hippocampus.org/course_locator?course=Environmental
%20Science&lesson=10&topic=2&skinPath=/hippocampus.skins/default — Video (5:00), Plate subduction
http://youtube.com/watch?v=nbU809Cyrao — Video (4:55), Wegener, father of continental drift; expletive at 0:47
http://youtube.com/watch?v=T1-cES1Ekto — Music video (3:04), of Wegener's posthumous triumph; free song
http://bostongeology.com/geology — Local geology lessons developed in Brookline with Tufts university; the
building construction activity referenced on the website has since moved to a new location:
http://discoveryeducation.com/teachers/free-lesson-plans/constructing-earthquake-proof-buildings.cfm
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https://sciencefromscientists.org/cool-stuff/youtube-for-schools
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© 2013 Science from Scientists