Making and measuring Earthquakes

 Author: Heather Bush and Tracy Perkins

Area: Earth and Space Sciences 

 Grade Level: 7 

Overview:

Students will create a model of a town that experiences an earthquake using their choice of a variety of materials provided.  They will create a method for measuring the intensity of their earthquake and discuss and compare their method to how earthquakes are measured.

Standards:

Arizona Science Standards·         

Strand 1: Inquiry Process.        

• Concept 1: Observations, Questions, and Hypotheses§         

        PO 1: Formulate questions based on observations that lead to the development of a hypothesiso        

• Concept 2: Scientific Testing (Investigating and Modeling)§         

         PO 5: Keep a record of observations, notes, sketches, questions, and ideas using tools such as written and/or  computer logs       

• Concept 4: Communication§           

         PO 3: Communicate the results of an investigation with appropriate use of qualitative and quantitative information.·         

Strand 6: Earth and Space Scienceo        

Concept 1: Structure of the Earth§         

PO 3: Explain the following processes involved in the formation of the Earth’s structure:·           

Erosion ·          Deposition·          Plate tectonics·          Volcanismo        

Concept 2: Earth’s Processes and Systems§         

 PO 5: Relate plate boundary movements to their resulting landforms including ·         

Mountains·          Faults·          Rift valleys·          Trenches·          Volcanoes§         

PO 6: Describe how earthquakes are measured. Nationals Standards:  Earth and Space Science           

Content Standard D: As a result of their activities, all students should develop and understanding of:           

•           Structure of the earth system            •           Earth’s history

 Related Links:

 Components