Johanna Vienneau
(Kenneth A. Brett School)
Tamworth, New Hampshire.
This earthquake unit is designed
for 8th grade.
Earthquake Unit Name: ________________ due
date: _________
Section I 'C' level Maximum 75 points
1. Listen to the lecture and take notes each
day. (5 pts/day) 1 2 3 4 5
2. Flashcards on vocabulary terms. 10 pts.
3. Watch the 'Earth, the Environment &
Beyond' video on earthquakes. Take notes and give me an oral
summary. 15 pts.
4. Watch the Bill Nye video on earthquakes.
10 pts. for watching
quietly 5 pts. for making one of the demonstrated
devices.
5. Build a working, two dimensional model
of a strike-slip, thrust,
or normal fault. 15 pts.
6. Read the chapter on earthquakes in the
Earth Science book. Do
the chapter review. 15 pts.
7. Do P and S wave worksheet. 5 pts.
8. Work the virtual earthquake site on the
Internet. www.**** (It
may be bookmarked on the library computers.)
Do the accompanying
worksheet. 15 pts.
9. Make a six sided paper cube. Draw and label
a result of earthquakes on each side. 10 pts.
10. With 2 to 4 other students, do the Wattsville/Mercalli
Scale activity. Each student will complete the isoseismal map.
10 pts.
11. Working with a partner, research an actual
devastating earthquake. Make a videotaped interview with one
person acting as the reporter and the other as the survivor.
The interview must include at least 8 facts about the earthquake
(make these obvious
to the viewer). You may add fictitious minor
details. Include a bibliography of your sources as ³credits²
at the end of the tape. 20 pts. each student.
12. Find two newspaper articles from the Northridge,
California earthquake of January 17, 1994 or the Kobe, Japan
earthquake of January 17, 1995. Copy and paste them on paper.
Highlight important features. 15 pts.
13. Do '10 Quakes That Shook the World' worksheet.
5 pts.
14. Do 'In A Shake' worksheet. 5 pts.
15. Think of a question about earthquakes
to ask a geologist. Send your question through the internet
to ASK-A-Geologist@usgs.gov. Print out the reply. 10 pts.
16. Watch the Nova video on earthquakes. List
15 things you learned from this video. 15 pts.
Section II 'B' level Choose only one. 10 pts
1. How does a building¹s design effect
its ability to withstand an earthquake? Use playing cards or
sugar cubes to answer this question.
2. How sensitive are people to vibrations?
3. Create a radio call-in show that will pinpoint
the epicenter of an earthquake in Tamworth. (See the format
of the Wattsville/Mercalli Scale activity.) Hand in: 1. A map
of Tamworth with small white rectangles in which to write the
numbers of the Mercalli Scale. 2. A key to this map, with numbers
and isoseismic rings drawn in.
3. A script of callers, minimum 10. This must
be typed or extremely neatly written in dark ink, suitable to
photocopy.
4. A second copy of this script with the Mercalli
Scale number next to the description. Mrs. Vienneau will make
a copy with 24 hours notice. Perform the radio show with other
students in the class.
Section III 'A' level Choose only one. Use
an 'A-level sheet.
15 pts
1. Which is better, the Richter Scale or the
Mercalli Scale?
2. Should public buildings be allowed to be
built on fault lines?
3. Should insurance companies be required
to insure houses built in
earthquake zones?
4. How should people in a city (citizens as
well as officials such as
mayors, police, fire departments, etc.) prepare
for an earthquake?
Grades: 65 - 69 = D 70 - 79 = C 80 - 89 =
B 90+ = A
_____________________________ ___________________
parent/guardian signature contact phone#
(signature & phone worth 5 points in C
level)
Dr Kathie Nunley
_ 