Handout
NASA

Nasa Space Place: What Is an Earthquake?

For Students 3rd - 8th
Discover why earthquakes happen, how we measure them, and why they only happen on Earth.
Unit Plan
California Institute of Technology

Scedc: Investigating Earthquakes Through Regional Seismicity

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about earthquakes and how they are measured. Follow up with some activities that help to enhance your learning.
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.
Unit Plan
University of California

University of California: Understanding Earthquakes

For Students 3rd - 8th
This website is a resource for learning about earthquakes. Java animation at this site helps you visually understand the causes of earthquakes.
Unit Plan
American Geosciences Institute

American Geosciences Institute: Dynamic Planet

For Students 6th - 8th
Seven hands-on lessons module where students learn about our dynamic planet. These inquiry-based explorations investigate scientific models, earthquakes and seismic waves, Earth's interior, Earth movements, the lithosphere, plate...
Graphic
US Geological Survey

U.s. Geological Survey: Learning About Earthquakes Coloring Pages

For Students Pre-K - 1st
Coloring pictures of seismic waves, earthquake safety and hazard maps. [PDF] Links to other handy tools, including trivia, stories, games and fun projects.
Website
PBS

Nova: Seismic Signals

For Students 9th - 10th
Scientists have determined that the earthquakes preceding volcanic eruptions are different than those that precede earthquakes. Discover the sounds and wave patterns produced by the three different types of volcanic seismic activities.
Handout
US Geological Survey

U.s. Geological Survey: Earthquake Center: Glossary

For Students 3rd - 8th
This resource provides definitions of important earthquake related terms.
Unit Plan
Concord Consortium

Concord Consortium: Exploring Earth's Seismicity

For Students 9th - 10th
This sequence is an introduction to plate tectonics using evidence from topographical maps, earthquake location and depth, and volcano location using the Seismic Explorer model to investigate patterns of earthquake data and to infer the...
Handout
PBS

Wnet: Thirteen: Savage Earth: The Restless Planet Earthquakes

For Students 9th - 10th
Discussion of liquefaction and landslides which are two of the many effects of earthquakes.
Unit Plan
Sophia Learning

Sophia: Earthquakes

For Students 6th - 8th
A quick, introductory lesson about how earthquakes happen, and what impact these natural events have on life.
Graphic
Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology

Iris: Earthquakes, Like Ripples on Water?

For Students 9th - 10th
See how seismic waves propagate outwards, as wave fronts, in all directions following an earthquake.
Article
Space.com

Space.com: Cracking the Code of Pre Earthquake Signals

For Students 9th - 10th
Earthquakes can often hit unexpectedly. This article reveals some of the intricacies of these natural disasters and what signs serve as indicators to alert seismologists.
Lesson Plan
Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology

Iris: Earthquakes, Like Ripples on Water?

For Students 9th - 10th
In this activity, students investigate the classic Earth science analogy, "Seismic waves radiate outward from an earthquake's epicenter like ripples on water."
Handout
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Earth Science: Measuring Earthquake Magnitude Study Guide

For Students 9th - 10th
An overview of measuring earthquake magnitude.
Article
US Geological Survey

U.s. Geological Survey: What Causes Earthquakes?

For Students 9th - 10th
USGS provides the definition of a fault, the basics of earthquakes, the theory of plate tectonics, location of plates and earthquakes, and embedded links to related material.
Lesson Plan
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Set Your Table for a Sweet and Sticky Earthquake Shake

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Earthquakes can have different affects depending on their location. This week long exercise asks you to build a model house and a special table to shake it on, and see how different soil types can amplify shaking.
Handout
Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology

Iris: How Are Earthquakes Located?

For Students 9th - 10th
This illustrated fact sheet shows how S and P waves each travel at varying speeds and therefore arrive at seismic stations at different times.
Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Earthquakes Living Lab: P Waves, S Waves and More

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students learn what causes earthquakes, how we measure and locate them, and their effects and consequences.
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
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...
Handout
Michigan Technological University

Michigan Tech University: Where Do Earthquakes Happen?

For Students 9th - 10th
An informative site that explains how and where earthquakes occur and the different types of faults. Contains maps and charts of fault lines, plate edges, and the continental plates. There are other links within the site of related...
Unit Plan
University of California

Earthguide: Mystery Detectives: Mystery Epicenter: Earthquake

For Students 6th - 8th
Students analyze seismograms to locate mystery earthquake epicenters as they produce a news story about a major local earthquake to complete their mission.