Unit Plan
Geographypods

Geographypods: Hazards and Risk Management: Earthquakes

For Students 11th - 12th
This learning module looks at earthquakes. It discusses areas of earthquake activity, how they are measured using the Richter scale, and how scientists try to predict earthquakes. Includes handouts, slideshows, activities, and videos.
Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Magnitude of the Richter Scale

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
In this activity, students will learn about the Richter Scale for measuring earthquakes. The students will make a booklet with drawings that represent each rating of the Richter Scale.
Handout
US Geological Survey

U.s. Geological Survey: Earthquake Center: Glossary

For Students 3rd - 8th
This resource provides definitions of important earthquake related terms.
Interactive
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Plix: Richter Scale Exponents: Scientific Notation

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login Required] Explore this interactive to see which earthquakes had the largest magnitude on the Richter Scale, then answer a challenge question.
Unit Plan
Exploratorium

Exploratorium: Earthquake Faultline Earthquake Activities

For Students 9th - 10th
This outstanding website provides an excellent variety of hands-on earthquake activities to help you understand what causes earthquakes.
Handout
Science Struck

Science Struck: Richter Scale Explained

For Students 9th - 10th
Explains what the Richter scale is and how the Richter formula is used to measure the magnitude of earthquakes. Includes a table of Richter values showing the changes in characteristics, impact, and frequency of tremors and earthquakes...
Unit Plan
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Earth Science: Scales That Represent Earthquake Magnitude

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Covers the scales scientists use to measure the size and intensity of earthquakes.
Handout
Internet History Sourcebooks Project

Fordham University: Modern History Sourcebook: The Earthquake at Lisbon, 1755

For Students 9th - 10th
This Fordham University article is written by Rev. Charles Davy a citizen of Lisbon when the city was hit by an earthquake measuring 8.75 on the richter scale. Discusses the devastation in detail.
Lesson Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Earthquakes Rock!

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students learn the two main methods to measure earthquakes, the Richter Scale and the Mercalli Scale. They make a model of a seismograph - a measuring device that records an earthquake on a seismogram. Students also investigate which...
Lesson Plan
Other

Shake Proof Science: Engineering Earthquake Safe Structures [Pdf]

For Teachers 2nd - 8th
Lesson covering earthquake basics and designing structures that can withstand earthquakes. Students are tasked with building earthquake-proof structures using marshmallows, spaghetti, and the option of bamboo skewers. These are then...
Unit Plan
Scholastic

Scholastic: Study Jams! Science: Landforms, Rocks & Minerals: Earthquakes

For Students 3rd - 5th
A video and a short multiple-choice quiz on earthquakes, how they form, how they are measured, and the ways they can change the surface of the Earth.
Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Earthquakes Living Lab: Epicenters and Magnitudes

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students learn how engineers characterize earthquakes through seismic data. Acting as engineers, they use real-world seismograph data to locate earthquake epicenters via triangulation and determine earthquake magnitudes.
Handout
Other

University of Wisconsin Green Bay: Faults and Earthquakes

For Students 9th - 10th
This site is primarily set up as an outline and is loaded with graphs, maps, and images. It covers a variety of earthquake-related topics, such as what causes earthquakes, fault lines and structures, seismology, a historical look at...
Website
University at Buffalo

University at Buffalo: Mceer: Earthquake Engineering to Extreme Events

For Students 9th - 10th
Information from the Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake Engineering Research guided toward enhancing the ability of communities to survive and rebuild after an earthquake. Includes current news and conferences, and information about...
Unit Plan
Other

Dromore National School: Earthquake Project Questions

For Students 3rd - 8th
Read the questions students most often ask about earthquakes and read the answers.
Handout
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Earth Science: Scales That Represent Earthquake Magnitude Study Guide

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Provides a summary of methods used to measure earthquakes. Includes some questions to check for understanding.
Activity
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Virtual Earthquake

For Students 9th - 10th
An activity-based program designed to introduce the concepts of how an earthquake epicenter is located and how the Richter magnitude of an earthquake is determined.
Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Mercalli Scale Illustrated

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
In this activity, students will learn about the Mercalli Scale for rating earthquakes. Also, students will make a booklet with drawings that represent each rating of the scale.
Interactive
US Geological Survey

U.s. Geological Survey: How Much Bigger..? Calculator

For Students 9th - 10th
A calculator to show the difference in magnitude between earthquakes. Understand that the Richter scale used to measure earthquakes is base-10 logarithmic scale.
Website
Weather Wiz Kids

Weather Wiz Kids: Earthquakes

For Students Pre-K - 1st
Fun FAQs on earthquakes, their causes earthquakes, the Richter scale, and earthquake safety tips. Site includes videos, animations, and links to related material. Excellent for student exploration. (Click on "Earthquakes" on left hand...
Website
Other

Ceri: Earthquake Facts and Follies

For Students 9th - 10th
A list of frequently asked questions about earthquakes. This is a good source for earthquake trivia and separating fact from fiction.
Website
US Geological Survey

U.s. Geological Survey: How Much Bigger?

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource provides information about the magnitude scale, and allows users to try to figure out the difference between earthquake sizes.
Handout
Michigan Technological University

How Are Earthquake Magnitudes Measured?

For Students 9th - 10th
This website explains how the Richter and Mercalli Scales work.
Website
The Field Museum

Field Museum: Exhibits: Nature Unleashed: Inside Natural Disasters

For Students 9th - 10th
Discover the true powers of Mother Nature through this vivid collection of research which delves into the causes of natural disasters and the impacts on those affected.