NAME: Earthquakes Web Quest DATE: TASK #1: http://projects.crustal.ucsb.edu/understanding/history/historyhtml Read through the slides and answer the following questions: What did our ancient ancestors believe about earthquakes? What observations did they make that led them to this explanation? What event marks the beginning of the modern era of seismology? 3. Describe the two important earthquake methods, created by Robert Mallet, that advanced the study of seismology significantly. 4. What is the primary feature of earthquakes? 5. What is the Elastic Rebound Theory? http://projects.crustal.ucsb.edu/understanding/elastic/rebound.html
TASK #2: http://www.fema.gov/areyouready/earthquakes.shtm Are you prepared? Use the article to answer the following questions: Define the following terms: a. Earthquake: b. Aftershock: c. Fault: d. Epicenter: e. Seismic Waves: f. Magnitude: If an earthquake measures a 4.0 how much more powerful is this earthquake than one that is measured 0 (use the example listed with the definition to help you calculate the answer). Answer = times more powerful 3. Write down two protective measures (from the many listed) that you feel are the most important for you to take care of in the following situations: a. Before an earthquake I b. During an earthquake I c. After an earthquake I
TASK #3: As we have studied, the Earth s crust is made up of a series of twelve interconnected landmasses called tectonic plates. What are the major plates that affect the United States? http://www.usatoday.com/graphics/news/gra/quake/frame.htm What are the major earthquake zones in the world? Use the search engine of your choice to answer this question. 3. Check out this hazard map showing probability for earthquakes. Why do you think California has so many earthquakes but Florida doesn t? In what hazard zone is our school located? www.usatoday.com/graphics/news/gra/earthquakemap/frame.htm 4. What is considered to be the most destructive earthquake in history? When did it occur, where was it, what was its magnitude, and how many people died? http://neic.usgs.gov/neis/eqlists/eqsmosde.html 5. What are tsunamis, what causes them, and how fast do they travel? www.usatoday.com/weather/tg/wtsunami/wtsunami.htm 6. What are the two types of waves created by an earthquake and how do they differ? Which type of wave travels faster? www.thetech.org/exhibits_events/online/quakes/waves/p&s_waves.html www.thetech.org/exhibits_events/online/quakes/grams/
Draw a picture of each type of wave and use a slinky to create these waves with your partner. Be sure to show us the waves before moving onto the next question! Type of wave Description Sketch 7. How much more energy is released by a 7.2 earthquake than by a 6.2 earthquake? http://neic.usgs.gov/neis/eqlists/eqstats.html 8. What applications does seismology have besides measuring the magnitude and location of earthquakes? Describe the applications briefly. www.thetech.org/exhibits_events/online/quakes/app/nuclear.html www.thetech.org/exhibits_events/online/quakes/app/xray.html 9. Where did the most of the earthquakes happen last week? http://earthquake.usgs.gov/recenteqsww/index.html (world map with clickable regions) http://earthquake.usgs.gov/recenteqsus (U.S. map with clickable regions) On the World map, locate an Earthquake that recently occurred in Haiti (there have been several). What was the magnitude of this quake?
10. Can scientists predict earthquakes? Read the following article and use its content to support your answer. http://www.usatoday.com/news/science/geology/2001-03-04-quake-predict.htm 1 How do scientists know where an earthquake actually occurred? We will be using this process of triangulation in the coming classes to plot earthquake activity. http://science.howstuffworks.com/earthquake5.htm TASK #4: http://www.crustal.ucsb.edu/ics/understanding/quiz/ Test your knowledge of earthquakes. Take this 4 question earthquake quiz and WRITE OUT the correct answers below as well as 1 significant fact from the reading that supports each answer. Answer: Answer: 3. Answer: 4. Answer: