1. 1. The Question
When you compare earthquakes from the recent past, which earthquake was the worst of them all? What traits make an earthquake especially damaging?
To answer this question, you must compare the damage done by several earthquakes and rank the list from most damage at the top to the least damage at the bottom.

2. 2. The Information Sources
You will visit a websites to learn about the damage done by recent earthquakes. We will not look at every past earthquake.

3. 1 = top damage 5 = least damage
3. The Student Activity
It’s your job to fill in the grid below, comparing the earthquakes. Once you have all the information, then you may rank the earthquakes from most damage to least.
1 = top damage 5 = least damage
Name of Earthquake
Damage $
Deaths
Magnitude
Other
Date
Rank
Sumatra-Andaman Islands, 2004
Norhtern Pakistan, 1974
Honshu, Japan, 2011
Haiti, 2010
Prince William Sound, Alaska, 1964

4. Other earthquake Sources
Occur most often along the Ring of Fire
Related Websites:
National Geographic: Earthquakes
Exploratorium Faultline Project
USGS: Earthquakes for Kids
Weather Wiz Kids: Earthquakes

5. 4. The Assessment Activity
Now write a essay telling which earthquake you would pick as the “earthquake of the century” given the list you had time to consider and research. Provide convincing facts as evidence to back your choice.