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Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Bridges That Can Take a Shake!

For Students 9th - 10th
Building a bridge in San Francisco has to take into account the possibilites of earthquakes. This Science Buddies science project asks that you use different virtual bridge designs to withstand virtual earthquakes. The Science Buddies...
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Lesson Plan
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Locating the Epicenter of an Earthquake

For Teachers 9th - 10th
When an earthquake happens, how are scientists able to determine the original location of the quake? In this project, you'll use archived data from a network of seismometers to find out for yourself. You'll create your own seismograms...
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Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Ring of Fire 2: What Earthquakes Tell Us About Plate Tectonics

For Students 6th - 8th
The theory of plate tectonics revolutionized geology in the 1960's. In this project you can explore the connection between plate tectonics and earthquakes by mapping historical seismic data.
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Lesson Plan
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Measuring the Earth's Core With Seismic Waves

For Teachers 9th - 10th
When an earthquake occurs, seismic shock waves travel out through the earth from the source of the event. The shock waves travel through the earth (body waves), or along the Earth's surface (surface waves), and can be recorded at remote...
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Lesson Plan
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Set Your Table for a Sweet and Sticky Earthquake Shake

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Earthquakes can have different affects depending on their location. This week long exercise asks you to build a model house and a special table to shake it on, and see how different soil types can amplify shaking.
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Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Subduction Zone Earthquakes

For Teachers 9th - 10th
For this lesson, students manipulate a model, consisting of templates on a piece of paper and an overlaying transparency, in order to explore the characteristics of subduction zone earthquakes. In the process, they develop an...
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Website
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Discover Our Earth

For Students 9th - 10th
Study earthquakes, volcanoes, topography, plate tectonics, and sea level change using graphs, maps, and movies. Engage in earth science knowledge discovery, critically evaluate the data and results, and reach conclusions about the earth...
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Handout
University of Hawai'i

Reply to Ask an Earth Scientist

For Students 9th - 10th
This site contains facts about the New Madrid fault and the 1811-12 earthquake in Q & A form.
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Unit Plan
Geographypods

Geographypods: Theme 2: Natural Environments

For Students 9th - 10th
A rich collection of highly engaging learning modules on topics related to the natural environment. Covers four main areas - plate tectonics, forms and processes, weather and climate, and rainforest and desert. Within each of these,...
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Unit Plan
Geographypods

Geographypods: Hazards and Risk Management: Earthquakes

For Students 11th - 12th
This learning module looks at earthquakes. It discusses areas of earthquake activity, how they are measured using the Richter scale, and how scientists try to predict earthquakes. Includes handouts, slideshows, activities, and videos.
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Graphic
Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology

Iris: Seismic Monitor

For Students 9th - 10th
Poke around the world map to examine where there is earthquake activity.
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Website
University of Southern California

University of Southern California:tsunami Research Group

For Students 9th - 10th
This site provides a world map of locations of past tsunamis, some video/animations of tsunamis, and a list of additional links to related topics.
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Handout
eSchool Today

E School Today: Your Cool Facts and Tips on Earthquakes

For Students 4th - 7th
Explains what earthquakes are, what causes them, the different types, tsunamis that can be caused by them, and how to prepare if living in an earthquake-prone area.
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Website
Other

Hooper Virtual Paleontological Museum

For Students 9th - 10th
This site provides a virtual tour to the Hooper Virtual Paleontological Museum. There are many virtual exhibits to visit through a series of links, including Mass Extinctions and Human Evolution. Very descriptive and fun tour!
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Website
Other

Pella Museum: Paleontology and Geology of Jordan

For Students 9th - 10th
This English language site focuses on the paleontology, geology, and the fossilized flora, and fauna Jordan. Scientific articles are interspersed with extensive photographs and descriptions of various features.
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Lesson Plan
Other

Federal Emergency Management Agency: Tremor Troop: Earthquakes [Pdf]

For Teachers K - 1st
A 260-page unit of activities on earthquakes. Covers what they are, their cause, why and where they occur, their impact on the Earth, how they are measured, and safety and survival. Includes worksheets and has a glossary at the end.
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Lesson Plan
Other

Federal Emergency Management Agency: Earthquake Safety Activities [Pdf]

For Teachers K - 1st
A 74-page booklet of activities that teach about earthquakes and what to expect when one strikes, what one can do to prepare for them, and ways to stay safe during an earthquake and afterwards.
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PPT
Other

Geothermal Education Office

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource for geothermal energy education features a slide show with instructive graphics.
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Unit Plan
University of California

University of California: Understanding Earthquakes

For Students 3rd - 8th
This website is a resource for learning about earthquakes. Java animation at this site helps you visually understand the causes of earthquakes.
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Lesson Plan
Other

Digital Library for Earth System Education: Teaching Box: Earthquake Country

For Teachers 9th - 10th
A suite of lessons focusing on all aspects of earthquakes. Inquiry-based exploration of earthquakes includes measuring seismic waves, predicting earthquakes, investigating magnitude and intensity, mapping fault lines, and evaluating...
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Unit Plan
US Geological Survey

Usgs: Earthquakes

For Students 9th - 10th
The U.S. Geological Survey sponsors this site about the history of earthquakes in the United States as well as information about how earthquakes are detected and measured.
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Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs News Hour Extra: You Don't Need a Seismograph to Study Earthquakes

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Three part lesson plan will provide students with information about earthquakes and how to predict them using various Web sites. Activities include historical background on major earthquakes, investigating mechanical waves, and...
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Interactive
The Field Museum

Field Museum: Exhibits: Nature Unleashed: Inside Natural Disasters

For Students 9th - 10th
Discover the true powers of Mother Nature through this vivid collection of research, which delves into the causes of natural disasters and the impacts on those affected.
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Unit Plan
NOAA

Noaa: National Weather Service: Jetstream: Tsunamis

For Students 9th - 10th
Online school for weather presents an abundance of information about tsunamis. Explore how they form, where they occur, how to prepare for one, and how to survive one. A review quiz and lesson plans are included for further enhancement...