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Lesson Plans - All Year Long

Exploring Plate Boundaries with Seismic Data

In this exercise, students will learn about the various types of plate boundaries, investigate well-known examples of some of these boundaries, and then apply what you’ve learned to East Africa to determine the most likely cause of seismicity in this area of the world.

Volcano!

Students will understand the following:
1. Volcanic eruptions that take place near populated areas can be disastrous.
2. The level of destruction caused by a volcanic eruption depends on several factors, including the kind of volcano eruption and the speed at which the lava or ash flows.
3. Volcanic eruptions can often be predicted.
4. Measures can be taken to help people cope with the disaster of a volcanic eruption.

What’s Shakin’, Dude?

Students will create their own P- & S-wave travel chart and develop a better
understanding of the relationship between the two wave types, travel times, and travel distances.

Earthquakes: Learn From The Past, Prepare For The Future

Ask students which earthquakes they remember hearing about in the news during the past few years. What were the effects of these earthquakes? What lessons might these earthquakes teach us to help us better prepare for future ones? Hold a brief class discussion on these questions.

Earthquakes: Getting Ready for the Big One

Discuss with students where earthquakes are mostly likely to occur. If they don’t know, they can look at a map of earthquake hot spots or at theJava Earthquake Globe. If students live near one of these areas, discuss life in “earthquake country.”