Curated OER
Comparing the New Madrid and San Andreas Fault Zones
In this faults instructional activity, students use an earthquake reference sheet to find the numbers for a modified Mercalli and Richter scale. They compare the San Andreas Fault zone and the New Madrid fault zone on the United States...
Curated OER
Landslides, Liquefaction, and Structural Failure
Students use both online and hands-on activities to become familiar with landslides, liquefaction, and structural failure caused by earthquakes. They identify that shaking can result in damage in the form of structural failure. In...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Liquefaction & Seismic Activity
Earthquake damage can be intensified in areas that are subject to soil liquefaction. For example, in these areas, soil movement may cause foundations to collapse, while structures in nearby areas built on more stable soil or bedrock may...
![Federal Emergency Management Agency: Tremor Troop: Earthquakes [Pdf] Lesson Plan](https://d15y2dacu3jp90.cloudfront.net/images/attachment_defaults/resource/large/FPO-knovation.png "Federal Emergency Management Agency: Tremor Troop: Earthquakes [Pdf] Lesson Plan")
Other
Federal Emergency Management Agency: Tremor Troop: Earthquakes [Pdf]
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.
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Earthquake Faultline Earthquake Activities
This outstanding website provides an excellent variety of hands-on earthquake activities to help you understand what causes earthquakes.
Center for Innovation in Engineering and Science Education, Stevens Institute of Technology
Ciese: Musical Plates: Engineering Application: Keeping Afloat
A instructional activity that looks at how to design a building so that it will withstand an earthquake and not sink or lean over.
University of Washington
University of Washington: 1964 Alaskan Earthquake
Alaska is part of the Pacific Ring where there are many earthquakes. Basic information about the 1964 Alaskan earthquake is provided, including landslides and liquefaction information, an embedded link to the text of a radio announcement...
Other
Tulane University: Earthquakes and Earth's Interior
College instructor's notes on seismology includes earthquake origins, seismic waves, risks and damage assessments, and other information about the interior structure of the Earth.
US Geological Survey
U.s. Geological Survey: Earthquakes: Liquefaction
Maps and images that show liquefaction, the process by which water-filled sediment loses strength and acts like a fluid.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Earthquake Damage
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Variables that affect how much damage is caused by an earthquake.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Earthquake Damage
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Variables that affect how much damage is caused by an earthquake.
PBS
Wnet: Thirteen: Savage Earth: The Restless Planet Earthquakes
Discussion of liquefaction and landslides which are two of the many effects of earthquakes.
Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology
Iris: New Madrid: Sand Blows Are Evidence for Earthquakes
Scroll over this photograph of an excavation to see evidence for prehistoric sand blows. These give evidence for earthquakes and liquefaction in the prehistoric record.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Earthquake Damage Study Guide
This comprehensive study guide covers the main terms and concepts needed for an earth science unit on the damage from earthquakes. Review questions are included at the bottom of the study guide.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: A Sweet Earthquake Shake on Landfill
In this activity, you will build a sweet building on a homemade shake table and find out how an earthquake impacts buildings constructed in landfills.