Earthquake Prediction: A Google Earth Activity Presented By: Denis Knight Junction Hill School West Plains, Missouri eMINTS Teacher 6 th -8 th Grade Science

Norms for our Classroom Be deeply involved with your work Know what is expected of you Do not waste time or disrupt Be prepared to work but be relaxed and pleasant

Unit Standards for Learning Explain the relationship between plate boundaries and the existence of earthquakes Analyze data from past earthquakes to determine patterns in earthquake magnitude and frequency Predict the location of the next earthquake of a magnitude of 8 or greater and justifying with relevant data Project the possible human impact of this predicted earthquake

Long Term Goals of Unit Be able to use critical thinking skills to determine which choices to make based on the most effective application Analyze information and discriminate between which decisions should be made to seek the most reasonable prediction.

Management Groups will be divided into 2-3 students. Each group will have access to a computer. We will use the following address, scroll down and click on earthquake This lesson can be divided into six phases

Objective of each Phase Phase 1-3 Phase 1—Gather information by using the interactive websites and PowerPoint presentations Phase 2—Use animations, diagrams and still photographs to create a PowerPoint presentation over plate boundaries (divergent, convergent and transform fault boundaries). Phase 3—Create a Photo Journal use Photo Story 3 depicting the destructive nature of earthquakes.

Phase 4-6 Phase 4—Use USGS Real Time Data, Historical Earthquake Data and World’s Largest Earthquakes within Google Earth to explore, and analyze factors affecting earthquake activity. Phase 5—Record this data using Smart Notebook to create a journal to be used to help predict the location and magnitude of the next great earthquake. Phase 6—Write a letter to the Earthquake Safety Commission addressing your prediction of the next great earthquake and the projected human impact.

Objectives for Today Become familiar with Google Earth ◦ Earthquake activity in the LA/SD area over the past 7 days. Focus on magnitude, frequency and depth. Relate these factors with plate boundaries. ◦ Observe Historic Earthquakes throughout the world and relate these events with existing plate boundaries. ◦ Highlight only M8 and M9 earthquakes and relate these events with existing plate boundaries.

Additional Objectives Use Google Earth to collect data Using Historic Earthquakes and World’s Largest Earthquake data, observe patterns in the distribution of high magnitude earthquakes Hypothesize the next region of the world to experience the next great earthquake. Justify your prediction using the following data: Magnitude Frequency Proximity to plate boundary Depth