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Unit Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Natural Disasters

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students are introduced to our planet's structure and its dynamic system of natural forces through an examination of the natural hazards of earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, tsunamis, floods and tornados, as well as avalanches, fires,...
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Article
National Earth Science Teachers Association

Windows to the Universe: Volcano Formation

For Students 6th - 9th
Explanation of the factors that result in the formation of volcanoes, some basic but helpful animations and photographs.
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Online Course
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: Essential Science for Teachers: Earth and Space 3

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Visit an active volcano site to find out the connection between the movement of the Earth's plates and the processes deep within the Earth's interior. [58:23]
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Article
NBC

Nbc News: Massive Quake Kills Nearly 10,000 in China

For Students 9th - 10th
A powerful 7.9 magnitude earthquake struck China, killing about 10,000 people and trapping huge numbers under concrete, steel and earth. Learn more details in this article.
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Website
Exploratorium

Exploratorium: Faultline: P and S Waves

For Students 9th - 10th
The different types of earthquake waves are discussed and illustrated. Features geologist video clip.
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Article
University of Washington

University of Washington: A Survey of Great Tsunamis

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource opens up with a clickable map that will provide information on eight different tsunamis, such as the 1929 Grand Banks tsunami, the 1975 Hawaiian tsunami, and several others. Basic information and the damage caused by each...
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Unit Plan
PBS

Wnet: Thirteen: Savage Earth: Waves of Destruction: Tsunami

For Students 9th - 10th
This series of three articles (links) give basic information, describe the different causes of tsunamis, warning systems, past tsunamis and the evidence and destruction left by these waves. Animations are provided that illustrate...
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Website
US Geological Survey

U.s. Geological Survey: San Andreas Fault at Wallace Creek

For Students 9th - 10th
See interactive, 360 degree panoramic photos of the San Andreas Fault. Aerial photos of the fault were taken using a technique called Kite Aerial Photography.
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Handout
Michigan Technological University

Michigan Tech: Locating an Earthquake's Epicenter

For Students 9th - 10th
Gives directions on how to find the epicenter of an earthquake, the distance to the epicenter and the magnitude of the earthquake.
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Handout
US Geological Survey

Usgs: Tsunamis in the Pacific Northwest

For Students 9th - 10th
This page from the U.S. Geological Survey is devoted to Tsunamis in the Pacific Northwest. View some animations of tsunamis.
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Lesson Plan
Center for Innovation in Engineering and Science Education, Stevens Institute of Technology

Ciese: Musical Plates: Engineering Application: Keeping Afloat

For Teachers 9th - 10th
A instructional activity that looks at how to design a building so that it will withstand an earthquake and not sink or lean over.
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Website
US National Archives

Nara: The 1906 San Francisco Earthquake and Fire

For Students 9th - 10th
The National Archives and Records Administration sheds new light on the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake through this site's use of primary source documents. A series of handwritten and typed documents are provided that look at the...
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Handout
US Geological Survey

U.s. Geological Survey: Earthquake Center: Glossary

For Students 3rd - 8th
This resource provides definitions of important earthquake related terms.
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Lesson Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Seismic Waves: How Earthquakes Move the Earth

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students learn about the types of seismic waves produced by earthquakes and how they move the Earth. The dangers of earthquakes are presented as well as the necessity for engineers to design structures for earthquake-prone areas that are...
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Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Natural Frequency and Buildings

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students learn about frequency and period, particularly natural frequency using springs. They learn that the natural frequency of a system depends on two things: the stiffness and mass of the system. Students see how the natural...
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Interactive
Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology

Iris: Station Monitor

For Students 9th - 10th
Students can type in their zip code to find and explore the nearest live earthquake station data.
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Website
University of Washington

University of Washington: Physics of Tsunamis

For Students 9th - 10th
The civil engineering department presents the physics of a tsunami. The topics addressed: what does "tsunami" mean; how do tsunamis differ from other water waves; how do earthquakes generate tsunamis; how do landslides, volcanic...
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Graphic
Other

Magnum Photos: Pakistan: Action Aid: Earthquake Relief Efforts, 2005

For Students 9th - 10th
Images by photojournalist Chris Steele-Perkins showing the devastation in Pakistan after the October 2005 earthquake. He was sent to the quake zone by ActionAid to document the aftermath of the disaster.
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Interactive
Concord Consortium

Concord Consortium: Stem Resources: Buildings and Earthquakes

For Students 9th - 10th
Do you think you can build a house that can withstand the shaking from an earthquake? In this activity, students design and construct model building that will be tested on a shake table with a force sensor. Activity includes questions...
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Website
US Geological Survey

U.s. Geological Survey: Earthquakes for Kids

For Students 3rd - 8th
A collection of articles, games, printouts, facts, science fair ideas, and links through which students learn about the history and science of earthquakes and also explore what it takes to be an "earthquake scientist."
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Lesson Plan
Other

Digital Library for Earth System Education: Teaching Box: Mountain Building

For Teachers 9th - 10th
A suite of lessons focusing on all aspects of how mountains are formed. Inquiry-based exploration of mountain building includes the rock cycle, mountain formation, plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes, erosion, rocks, minerals, and...
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Website
Museum of the City of San Francisco

The Virtual Museum of San Francisco: The 1906 Earthquake

For Students 9th - 10th
"The Great 1906 Earthquake And Fire" is an extensive site which includes the history of the earthquake and fire, photographs, eyewitness accounts, newspaper stories, information about Charles Richter, and official reports.
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Article
Utah State Office of Education

Utah Science: Change Is My Game

For Students 4th - 8th
Discover the ways in which the Earth's surface is always changing and what causes those changes through reference materials and a collection of activities.
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Website
US Geological Survey

U.s. Geological Survey: Earthquakes

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource provides information about earthquakes, including how they are measured.