Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Roots of the Hawaiian Hotspot

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explain the processes of plate tectonics and volcanism that resulted in the formation of the Hawaiian Islands. They describe, compare, and contrast S waves and P waves. They explain how
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Stressed Out!

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students identify methods for detecting and locating earthquakes and analyzing seismic data.  In this earthquake lesson students simulate the action of P and S waves. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How do we measure global earthquakes?

For Teachers 10th - Higher Ed
Students examine three seismograms of a recent South American earthquake recorded by USGS stations. They measure the S-P distance and use a P and S wave travel-time graph to find the epicenter distance for each seismogram. In addition,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earthquake Depth

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research and locate earthquake epicenters on a map using latitude and longitude. They determine if the depth of an earthquake has any relationship to the distance from a plate boundary.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earthquakes

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders explore reasons for earthquakes. They discuss and describe the types of faults. Using the internet, 6th graders research a specific location of a former earthquake. They describe the damage, magnitude, the epicenter,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Follow The Falling Meteorite

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate the supposed traveling path of a meteorite. They use sound in order to triangulate the path. The results of the experiment are written on a map to display the path of the meteorite. The culminating activity is when...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Virtual Earthquake

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students visit a website that features online interactive geology and biology simulations. They observe and estimate the amplitude of the largest wave and transfer the information to a nomogram. Based on the nomogram students will...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earthquakes And Fault Lines

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students discuss major causes of earthquakes and identify famous fault lines, access and map information about ten largest earthquakes in world from 1989 to 1998, and theorize about location of these earthquakes as they relate to Earth's...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earthquakes and Seismic Waves

For Teachers 4th - 9th
Students explore earthquakes and seismic waves. They investigate how energy is released in the subsurface to create seismic waves. Students explore the inner workings of a seismograph and how they are used to determine the location of an...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Borah Peak Earthquake

For Teachers 7th - 12th
students use the internet, an atlas map, and other sources to explore a map of Idaho. They locate the Lost River Range and Mt. Borah. Students read the atlas map to locate earthquake faults, find the magnitude, fault, and epicenter of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Where Are We?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students use Cartesian coordinates or degrees of latitude and longitude to locate important locations within their specific countries. They Use a grid to apply the concept of latitude and longitude, or positive and negative Cartesian...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Earthquakes

For Students 5th - 6th
After reading an article on earthquakes and tsunamis, students answer a series of multiple choice questions about what they have learned. All answers can be found within the article, making this a good way to prepare for reading...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earthquakes and Seismic Waves

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students investigate the Richter scale and seismology in a teacher-led lab in which they are introduced to the concept of seismic waves and epicenter location. They further investigate the inner workings of a seismograph and practice...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Whole Lot of Shakin' Goin' On!

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars gather data about the 1906 and 1989 earthquakes, make comparisons between the two, and determine the factors that influence the amount of shaking that occurs in an area due to an earthquake. They identify that the...
Interactive
Curated OER

Seismic Waves

For Students 6th - 10th
In this seismic waves worksheet, students read and study the science of earthquakes using online resources to complete 8 short answer questions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earthquake Plotting

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students become familiar with map coordinates. They establish the frequency of earthquake occurrences and study the location and magnitude of earthquakes. To establish the location of plate boundaries.
Interactive
Curated OER

Anatomy of an Earthquake

For Students 6th - 8th
In this earthquake activity, students read and study earthquake maps and statistics. They complete 8 short answer questions that follow.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Bellwork for Week 9-Earthquakes and Continental Drift

For Students 7th - 9th
For this earthquake and continental drift worksheet, students answer five questions about continental drift, seismic waves and earthquake safety.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Conducting Research

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders write research reports about trains. They focus on mechanical features of trains.
Lesson Plan
National Association of Geoscience Teachers

Nagt.org: A Kinesthetic Demonstration for Locating Earthquake Epicenters

For Teachers 9th - 10th
A kinesthetic activity for learners to understand the technique for locating the epicenter of an earthquake. It is performed indoors and outdoors in three lessons.
Lesson Plan
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Locating the Epicenter of an Earthquake

For Teachers 9th - 10th
When an earthquake happens, how are scientists able to determine the original location of the quake? In this project, you'll use archived data from a network of seismometers to find out for yourself. You'll create your own seismograms...
Unit Plan
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Earth Science: Locating Earthquake Epicenters

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] How to find the epicenter of an earthquake.
Unit Plan
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Earth Science: Locating Earthquake Epicenters

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] How to find the epicenter of an earthquake.
Handout
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Earth Science: Locating Earthquake Epicenters Study Guide

For Students 9th - 10th
This comprehensive study guide covers the main terms and concepts needed for an earth science unit on locating earthquake epicenters. Review questions are included at the bottom of the study guide.