Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Virtual Earthquake
An activity-based program designed to introduce the concepts of how an earthquake epicenter is located and how the Richter magnitude of an earthquake is determined.
Scholastic
Scholastic: Study Jams! Science: Landforms, Rocks & Minerals: Earthquakes
A video and a short multiple-choice quiz on earthquakes, how they form, how they are measured, and the ways they can change the surface of the Earth.
US Geological Survey
U.s. Geological Survey: How Much Bigger..? Calculator
A calculator to show the difference in magnitude between earthquakes. Understand that the Richter scale used to measure earthquakes is base-10 logarithmic scale.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Mercalli Scale Illustrated
In this activity, students will learn about the Mercalli Scale for rating earthquakes. Also, students will make a booklet with drawings that represent each rating of the scale.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Magnitude of the Richter Scale
In this activity, students will learn about the Richter Scale for measuring earthquakes. The students will make a booklet with drawings that represent each rating of the Richter Scale.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Earthquakes Rock!
Students learn the two main methods to measure earthquakes, the Richter Scale and the Mercalli Scale. They make a model of a seismograph - a measuring device that records an earthquake on a seismogram. Students also investigate which...
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Scales That Represent Earthquake Magnitude
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Covers the scales scientists use to measure the size and intensity of earthquakes.
US Geological Survey
U.s. Geological Survey: How Much Bigger?
This resource provides information about the magnitude scale, and allows users to try to figure out the difference between earthquake sizes.
Other
University of Wisconsin Green Bay: Faults and Earthquakes
This site is primarily set up as an outline and is loaded with graphs, maps, and images. It covers a variety of earthquake-related topics, such as what causes earthquakes, fault lines and structures, seismology, a historical look at...
Other
Shake Proof Science: Engineering Earthquake Safe Structures [Pdf]
Lesson covering earthquake basics and designing structures that can withstand earthquakes. Learners are tasked with building earthquake-proof structures using marshmallows, spaghetti, and the option of bamboo skewers. These are then...
Teachers.net
Teachers.net Lesson: Natural Disaster Bloom's Taxonomy
Here is a lengthy activity for student to work on while learning about floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes. Students will enjoy researching these disasters and applying what they have learned to a project.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Scales That Represent Earthquake Magnitude Study Guide
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Provides a summary of methods used to measure earthquakes. Includes some questions to check for understanding.
University at Buffalo
University at Buffalo: Mceer: Earthquake Engineering to Extreme Events
Information from the Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake Engineering Research guided toward enhancing the ability of communities to survive and rebuild after an earthquake. Includes current news and conferences, and information about...
Other
Dromore National School: Earthquake Project Questions
Read the questions students most often ask about earthquakes and read the answers.
Other
Ceri: Earthquake Facts and Follies
A list of frequently asked questions about earthquakes. This is a good source for earthquake trivia and separating fact from fiction.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Plix: Richter Scale Exponents: Scientific Notation
[Free Registration/Login Required] Explore this interactive to see which earthquakes had the largest magnitude on the Richter Scale, then answer a challenge question.
Michigan Technological University
How Are Earthquake Magnitudes Measured?
This website explains how the Richter and Mercalli Scales work.
Science Struck
Science Struck: Richter Scale Explained
Explains what the Richter scale is and how the Richter formula is used to measure the magnitude of earthquakes. Includes a table of Richter values showing the changes in characteristics, impact, and frequency of tremors and earthquakes...