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.
Lesson Plan
TryEngineering

Try Engineering: Shake It Up With Seismographs

For Teachers 9th - 10th
During this instructional activity, students learn how seismographs work and how technology has impacted the world by helping save lives from earthquakes. They will work in teams to design, test, and evaluate the results of their own...
Lesson Plan
Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology

Iris: How Hard Does the Ground Shake During a Quake?

For Students 9th - 10th
This activity asks learners to demonstrate how hard they think the ground shakes during an earthquake.
Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Make Your Own Seismograph

For Students 3rd - 8th
A seismograph is a tool scientists use to record earthquakes and measure their strength. In this activity you will build your own seismograph using simple materials.
Activity
PBS

Pbs Teachers: Seismometer

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Build an instrument for measuring movement to learn about how scientists measure the Earth's movement with a seismometer.
Activity
Interactive Mathematics

Interactive Mathematics: Applications of Derivatives

For Students 9th - 10th
The derivatives of logarithmic and exponential functions are used in problems dealing with earthquake measurement and air resistance. The problems allow students to see how these derivatives are applied with practice.
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...
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.
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Being P Waves and S Waves

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this lesson students develop a good understanding of different kinds of seismic waves and their effects.
Lesson Plan
Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology

Iris: Direct Hydrocarbon Indicators

For Students 9th - 10th
This video lecture and accompanying exercises allow students to define a DHI and how to identify them, describe how seismic data are used to determine reservoir rock and fluid properties, and list the processing and modeling steps used...
Handout
Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology

Iris: How Does a Seismometer Work?

For Students 9th - 10th
An overview of the basic components of a seismometer and physical science principles behind its operation.