Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: The 2004 Sumatra Earthquake and Tsunami

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Using real seismic recordings from a number of seismic stations, students find the location of the epicenter of the 2004 Sumatra earthquake. They next determine the path of the tsunami triggered by it, and calculate how much lead time...
Website
Columbia University

Scientific Background on the Indian Ocean Earthquake and Tsunami

For Students 9th - 10th
This site features information and related links that can be used by students and scientists to understand the events that led to the December 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: 2004 Asian Earthquake and Tsunami Disaster Project

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students are employees of a unit of the United Nations responsible for coordinating disaster relief after a major disaster (the 2004 Asian Earthquake and Tsunami) occurs. The agency needs to understand the situation in each country so...
Website
University of Washington

University of Washington: Physics of Tsunamis

For Students 9th - 10th
The civil engineering department presents the physics of a tsunami. The topics addressed: what does "tsunami" mean; how do tsunamis differ from other water waves; how do earthquakes generate tsunamis; how do landslides, volcanic...
Website
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution: Tsunami: An Interactive Guide

For Students 9th - 10th
A complete, interactive learning activity covering the science of tsunamis, preparedness, research, and historical tsunamis. Excellent animations and real, historical recordings of survivors allow the learner to experience what happens...
Website
BBC

Bbc: Japan Earthquake, March, 2011

For Students 9th - 10th
Complete coverage on the Japanese earthquake and tsunami of March, 2011. Information also provided on the Fukushima nuclear plant. March, 2011
Website
Other

Unavco: Event Response to the Mw=9.0 Tohoku, Japan Earthquake and Tsunami

For Students 9th - 10th
Relevant data connected to the earthquake as well as links to technical information and science websites. Also find many graphs and charts with information on the tectonic activity.
Handout
Burke Museum

Burke Museum: Tsunamis

For Students 9th - 10th
The information on tsunamis provided at this site is part of the Burke Museum's online exhibition on earthquakes and geology. Prevention is discussed, along with famous tsunamis in history.
Website
National Institutes of Health

Niehs: Earthquakes and Tsunamis

For Students 3rd - 5th
Basic information on what to do if you are in an earthquake or a tsunami.
Handout
US Geological Survey

Usgs: Tsunamis in the Pacific Northwest

For Students 9th - 10th
This page from the U.S. Geological Survey is devoted to Tsunamis in the Pacific Northwest. View some animations of tsunamis.
Website
PBS

Wnet: Thirteen: Savage Earth: Tsunamis

For Students 9th - 10th
Excellent site exploring the mysterious and destructive tsunamis. Explore this scientific marvel and learn about the causes and dangers.
Article
University of Washington

University of Washington: A Survey of Great Tsunamis

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource opens up with a clickable map that will provide information on eight different tsunamis, such as the 1929 Grand Banks tsunami, the 1975 Hawaiian tsunami, and several others. Basic information and the damage caused by each...
Unit Plan
PBS

Wnet: Thirteen: Savage Earth: Waves of Destruction: Tsunami

For Students 9th - 10th
This series of three articles (links) give basic information, describe the different causes of tsunamis, warning systems, past tsunamis and the evidence and destruction left by these waves. Animations are provided that illustrate...
Website
University of Southern California

University of Southern California:tsunami Research Group

For Students 9th - 10th
This site provides a world map of locations of past tsunamis, some video/animations of tsunamis, and a list of additional links to related topics.
Handout
eSchool Today

E School Today: Your Cool Facts and Tips on Earthquakes

For Students 4th - 7th
Explains what earthquakes are, what causes them, the different types, tsunamis that can be caused by them, and how to prepare if living in an earthquake-prone area.
Lesson Plan
Teachnology

Teachnology: Guide to Tsunamis

For Teachers 9th - 10th
For any educator preparing a teaching theme/unit on tsunamis, this is the site for you! Links to a myriad of lesson plans, worksheets, interactive sites, teacher resources, and much more are all found on this one site.
Handout
US Geological Survey

U.s. Geological Survey: Earthquake Center: Glossary

For Students 3rd - 8th
This resource provides definitions of important earthquake related terms.
Website
Yale University

Yale University: Tracking the Destructive Power of the Pacific Ocean's Tsunami

For Students 9th - 10th
Expert Lori Dengler discusses the long history of tsunamis and earthquakes in the Pacific rim and Japan in particular.
Article
BBC

Bbc Newsround: Silence Honours Victims of Japan Tsunami

For Students 2nd - 5th
Article reports on how the 2011 Japan tsunami is being remembered five years later.
Website
The Guardian

Guardian: Indian Ocean Tsunami Disaster

For Students 9th - 10th
A Special Report from the Guardian provides the latest news and reports from the tsunami-afflicted countries. Includes animation of the tsunami.
PPT
BBC

Bbc: In Pictures: Indonesian Tsunami

For Students 9th - 10th
From July, 2006, photographic slideshow graphically detailing the tsunami that hit the Indonesian island of Java.
Website
US Geological Survey

Usgs: Surviving a Tsunami

For Students 9th - 10th
Here's a common sense site about what to do in case you are in the area of a tsunami. This site is very interesting in that it provides lots of pictures of the damage a tsunami can do. Lessons were learned after these particular tsunamis.
Handout
Other

Earthquakes Canada: Tools for Teachers

For Students 9th - 10th
This webpage offers an excellent collection of teaching resources about earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes, and much more. An extensive and extremely well-organized list of "frequently asked questions" regarding the topic, and live...
Lesson Plan
Other

Federal Emergency Management Agency: Tremor Troop: Earthquakes [Pdf]

For Teachers K - 1st
A 260-page unit of activities on earthquakes. Covers what they are, their cause, why and where they occur, their impact on the Earth, how they are measured, and safety and survival. Includes worksheets and has a glossary at the end.