1. Living with Earthquakes and Volcanoes
By: Cammie’s Corner

2. Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions happen all over the world at different times. We cannot control these events or keep them from happening, but science and technology can help people stay safe.

3. Studying Earthquakes Seismologists – scientists who study earthquakes.
They study seismic waves- waves of energy that travel through Earth’s crust.
Seismic waves travel in all directions and make the ground shake when rock breaks or moves suddenly.

4. Seismographs- tools that measure and record seismic waves.
When the ground shakes in an earthquake, the bottom of the seismograph shakes back and forth, but the weighted spring stands still. The pen make a record of the difference between the moving part and the part that stands still.

6. Seismogram- the record made by a seismograph.
The zigzagging lines show the shaking of the ground. The tallest lines show the period of greatest shaking.
Help scientist determine where faults exist in Earth’s crust.
Click to see Seismograph and Seismogram
Brainpop Video

8. Using Science & Technology to Keep People Safe
Tsunami is a huge wave caused by and earthquake under the ocean.
Can wash away building and kill many people.
Click to see Tsunami

9. Scientist cannot predict when an earthquake will happen, but can predict a Tsunami.
Seismographs help predict tsunamis by watching for underwater earthquakes.
Sensors on the ocean floor pick up changes that mean a tsunami is forming. Then people can be warned.
Tsunami Brain Pop Video

10. Volcanic Eruptions
Scientist also uses seismographs to help predict volcanic eruptions.
Before a volcano erupts, magma starts to move toward the surface and this causes seismic waves.
Scientist measures the waves and other changes to predict an eruption and people can be warned.

11. Vocabulary – Words to Know
Seismologist- scientist who study earthquakes.
Seismic waves- waves of energy that travels through Earth’s crust.
Seismograph- a tool that measures and records seismic waves.
Seismogram- a record of seismic waves made by a seismograph.
Tsunami- a huge wave caused by an earthquake under the ocean.