2. Japan: Earthquake and Tsunami

3. Lesson aims:  To find out what causes a tsunami.  To look at the Japan 2011 disaster as a case study of a tsunami.  To look at ways in which Japan has tried to prepare for earthquakes and tsunamis.

4. Lesson Starter.  I see  I think  I wonder

6. What is a Tsunami?  From what we have covered in class does anyone know?  Watch the bang goes the theory video clip.

8. Definition  A Tsunami is a massive wave caused by an earthquake under the sea.  It is extremely powerful and it causes lots of destruction.

9. This is a map of the earthquake seismic waves. What city would be affected more Fukushima or Tokyo? Give a reason for your answer. The closer a place is to the epicenter the more shaking and damage will occur.

10. Task 1:  You are going to watch a video on the Japan earthquake and tsunami disaster.  Take the sub-heading in your jotter of “Japan Video”.  You are going to watch a video of the disaster. There is a question sheet that goes along with this.  Answer the questions in full sentences in your jotter.

11. How has Japan prepared for earthquakes?  Japan is a country that suffers from many earthquakes.  Due to this it has many measures in place to help reduce the damage from earthquakes and tsunamis. Can you think of any?

12. Children are trained from a very young age to hide under tables if an earthquake strikes.

13. Japanese buildings are built with many earthquake proof features. That is why not many buildings were damaged by the earthquake itself.

14. Japan has an advanced tsunami early warning system. It tells experts that there is a tsunami coming before it strikes.

15. Japan and Haiti  Both of these disasters were terrible but the effects were different in many ways.  You will see a number of statements.  You must choose if it should go with Japan, Haiti or both. You must be able to state reasons why to the class.

16. Both Many building destroyed from the earthquake Over 300,000 people died Possibility of a nuclear disaster after the event They were prepared as much as they could be for the disaster The cost of the disaster will be massive They will need help from many countries around the world Lots of people live in poverty.

17. Both Many people will have changed forever The country will take many years to recover from the disaster It is likely another disaster could happen again soon As we know both disasters were terrible. What disaster do you think was worse? Think of everything you have studied in class. Have reasons for your answer.

19. Re-cap of last week  Japan was hit by a massive 9.0 magnitude earthquake that caused a tsunami.  A tsunami is caused by an earthquake that occurs under the sea and plate cause the sea to jump up causing a massive wave.  Japan was not really badly affected by the earthquake because it is prepared for earthquakes – we will find out how later in this lesson.  The tsunami caused a massive amount of damage to Japan’s coastal cities.