EARTHQUAKE EXPLORERS
How to Navigate this Webpage: A Friendly Guide.
Hello students of 5/6H and welcome to the summary of 'Earthquake Explorers'. Each week a quick review of each lesson will (hopefully!!) be posted below for you to review at your own leisure.
Handy hints:
As always, please access the blog and leave a comment if you have any questions, problems or comments. I understand that the videos may not play on the iPads or XOs so we will view them in class.
Yours sincerely,
Miss Nettleton
Handy hints:
- Anything written in BOLD type is an activity we completed or a term/feature we explored.
For example, the Richter Scale. - Anything written in RED type is a message from me to you :)
- Anything written in PURPLE is an extension challenge for fast finishers or those who would like to learn more about the topics.
As always, please access the blog and leave a comment if you have any questions, problems or comments. I understand that the videos may not play on the iPads or XOs so we will view them in class.
Yours sincerely,
Miss Nettleton
Lesson 1, Thursday 24th July
TWLH Chart
The chart is now displayed on the back wall. Please feel free to revisit our early thoughts and ideas about earthquakes throughout our continuing studies this term.
- What we THINK we know
- What we WANT to know
The chart is now displayed on the back wall. Please feel free to revisit our early thoughts and ideas about earthquakes throughout our continuing studies this term.
Storyboard Activity
Visual Stimulus: CCTV Footage Christchurch Earthquake 2011
Visual Stimulus: CCTV Footage Christchurch Earthquake 2011
Lesson 2, Thursday 31st July
Factual Recount: Newcastle Earthquake
Vocabulary List: (to be added soon)
Features of a Factual Recount (to be added soon)
Features of a Factual Recount (to be added soon)
Lesson 3, Tuesday 5th August
What is the difference between earthquake magnitude and intensity?
Add these definitions to your glossary.
Magnitude is a measure of the energy released at the earthquake's source.
Intensity is a measure of the amount of destruction (strength of shaking) caused by an earthquake.
Add these definitions to your glossary.
Magnitude is a measure of the energy released at the earthquake's source.
Intensity is a measure of the amount of destruction (strength of shaking) caused by an earthquake.
The Richter Scale (measuring magnitude)
Earthquake magnitude is measured on a scale created by Charles F. Richter in 1934. The Richter scale is a numerical calculation with the number rising with the severity of the tremors. It has no upper limit and is based on a logarithmic scale (base 10,) which means intensity - and damage - increases tenfold with each whole number. A seismograph, measures the intensity of earthquakes.
EXTENSION:
What is the highest reading of an earthquake using the Richter Scale?
What is the highest reading of an earthquake using the Richter Scale?
Modified Mercalli Scale (measuring intensity)
The Modified Mercalli Scale is used to measure the intensity of, or destruction caused by, an earthquake. The scale uses Roman Numerals and is based on people's subjective interpretations (their own opinions). The scale level is determined after assessments of the damage is down and witnesses are interviewed. An earthquake of low magnitude can rate highly on the Modified Mercalli scale if it hits an area with unstable buildings and causes extensive damage.
Get Adobe Flash Player. Embedded with the help of embed-swf.org.
In case the above item doesn't load, click the link below:
http://elearning.niu.edu/simulations/images/S_portfolio/Mercalli/Mercalli_Scale.swf
http://elearning.niu.edu/simulations/images/S_portfolio/Mercalli/Mercalli_Scale.swf
EXTENSION:
Create a Venn Diagram detailing the similarities and differences between the two scales. Consider their purpose, what they measure, how they measure and what information they provide us with. You may like to do some further research yourself using your XO's.
Create a Venn Diagram detailing the similarities and differences between the two scales. Consider their purpose, what they measure, how they measure and what information they provide us with. You may like to do some further research yourself using your XO's.
Lesson 4 Thursday, 14th August
Layers of the Earth
Click the button below to open an interactive animation:
Cross-section of the Earth
Our Class Photos:
How are the Earth and an egg similar?
Lesson 5 Thursday 28th August
Continent Formation
Sequencing Activity
Tectonic Plates
Click the button below to open an interactive animation.
Our Class Videos
Unfortunately, the videos were not able to be copied across from the school iPads. Sorry.
Plate Boundary Rap
lesson 6, thursday 11th sept & Tues 16th Sept
'Dot plot' column graph comparing earthquakes in Australia to its neighbouring countries:
Key Question:
Why do you think Australia experiences fewer (less) earthquakes than its neighbouring countries?
Why do you think Australia experiences fewer (less) earthquakes than its neighbouring countries?
Please update your word wall and glossary in your Earthquake Explorers booklet.
Check that you have the following:
Check that you have the following:
- epicentre
- focus
- fault
- divergent plate movement
- convergent plate movement
- transform plate movement
- infrastructure
- seismogram
- seismograph
- seismologist
- magnitude
- intensity
If you need help, you may review any of the information from the previous lessons, use your XOs for research or click on the link below:
Once you have finished all the activities you may try the game below:
Beat the Quake! Game
Lesson 7 Wednesday 17th September
Become a seismologist!
Bill Nye the Science Guy: Seismometers
A summary
Check your understanding of the topic by exploring the links below: