Earthquakes

Objective: This worksheet aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of earthquakes, including their causes, effects, measurement, safety tips, and real-world impacts.

Content and methods: The worksheet starts by activating prior knowledge through a brainstorming and mind-mapping activity on earthquakes. It then uses a YouTube video to explain how earthquakes occur, followed by a task for students to explain the process in their own words. A matching exercise helps students learn key terminology related to earthquakes (e.g., tectonic plates, hypocenter, seismograph). The final section focuses on a detailed case study of an earthquake, featuring a newspaper article and a fictional interview with a seismologist. This section includes prompts for note-taking and questions requiring students to extract specific information about the earthquake's impact and protective measures.

Competencies:

Knowledge recall and organization (mind-mapping)
Scientific literacy (understanding geological phenomena)
Vocabulary acquisition and matching
Reading comprehension and information extraction
Analysis of real-world events and their consequences
Understanding of disaster preparedness and mitigation strategies

Target group: 8th-10th grade

52 other teachers use this template

Target group and level

8th-10th grade

Subjects

Geography

Preview

Earthquakes

Earthquakes

Use this space to copy the mindmap.

Additional information for teachers

Sample solution for the mindmap

Video: Earthquakes explained

Watch the following video and complete the tasks.

Match the terms with the explanations.

Looking at an earthquake in detail

Read the following newspaper article and the corresponding fictional interview with a seismologist. Then answer the questions.

Notes

The 2010 Chile Earthquake: A Decade of Recovery and Resilience

On 27 February 2010, at 03:34 local time, an 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of central Chile, shaking the nation for three intense minutes. The quake, felt across six regions including Santiago and as far as Buenos Aires, Argentina, resulted in 525 fatalities, 25 missing persons, and a devastating tsunami that ravaged coastal towns such as Constitución and Talcahuano. A major blackout affected 93% of the Chilean population, and President Michelle Bachelet declared a "state of catastrophe," deploying military forces to restore order.

Image source: Claudio Núñez, Wikipedia

In the decade following the disaster, Chile embarked on a robust reconstruction journey. Economically, the earthquake incurred losses estimated between $15-$30 billion USD. The government, alongside international aid, focused on rebuilding infrastructure, homes, and vital services. Socially, the disaster fostered a sense of unity and resilience among Chileans. Communities banded together, not only to rebuild physically but also to support each other emotionally through the trauma.

Politically, the quake influenced significant changes. President Sebastián Piñera, who took office shortly after the quake, prioritized improving Chile's emergency response systems. New policies were implemented to enhance disaster preparedness, including stricter building codes and more efficient early warning systems. By 2020, Chile had made considerable progress in recovery, standing as a testament to the nation's resilience and the collective efforts of its people and international community.

Interviewer Sarah Miller: Good day, Dr. Sergio Barrientos. Thank you for taking the time to speak with us about earthquakes in Chile. You are one of the leading seismologists in the country. Can you briefly explain what you are researching in the region?

Dr. Sergio Barrientos: Certainly, Ms. Miller. My research focuses on the seismic activity along the Chilean subduction zone, where the Nazca Plate is being forced under the South American Plate. We study the patterns and effects of seismic events in this region to better understand the mechanisms that trigger earthquakes. A significant part of our work is dedicated to developing better early warning systems and improving earthquake-resistant infrastructure.

Sarah Miller: The 2010 Chile Earthquake was a devastating event. Can you explain how this earthquake occurred?

Dr. Sergio Barrientos: The 2010 Chile Earthquake, which occurred on February 27th, was a powerful 8.8 magnitude quake. It was caused by the sudden release of accumulated stress along the boundary between the Nazca and South American Plates. This type of earthquake is known as a megathrust earthquake, which is common in subduction zones like the one off the coast of Chile. The intense shaking lasted for about three minutes and was followed by a significant tsunami.

Sarah Miller: What measures could have been taken at that time to reduce the damages?

Dr. Sergio Barrientos: At the time, Chile had already implemented several earthquake-resistant building codes, which helped mitigate some of the damage. However, the scale of the earthquake and tsunami was immense. Improved coastal defenses and more comprehensive early warning systems could have helped reduce the impact. For example, better tsunami evacuation plans and higher sea walls in vulnerable areas could have saved more lives and reduced property damage.

Sarah Miller: What changes have been made to earthquake protection measures in Chile since then?

Dr. Sergio Barrientos: Since the 2010 earthquake, Chile has made significant improvements in its earthquake and tsunami protection measures. Building codes have been further strengthened, ensuring that new constructions are more resilient to seismic activity. We have also enhanced our early warning systems, which can now provide quicker and more accurate alerts. Additionally, there is a greater emphasis on community preparedness, with regular drills and education programs to ensure people know how to respond during an earthquake or tsunami.

Sarah Miller: What plans does the government have to further improve earthquake protection?

Dr. Sergio Barrientos: The Chilean government is continually working to improve earthquake protection. Current plans include upgrading older buildings to meet modern seismic standards and expanding our network of seismic monitoring stations to better predict and track earthquakes. There are also initiatives to develop new technologies, such as advanced damping systems that can absorb the energy of an earthquake. Furthermore, efforts are being made to improve coastal defenses to better protect against tsunamis. These measures aim to minimize the impacts of future seismic events and ensure the safety of the Chilean population.

Sarah Miller: Thank you, Dr. Barrientos, for these informative insights. Your work is invaluable for the safety of people in Chile.

Dr. Sergio Barrientos: Thank you, Ms. Miller. It was my pleasure to speak with you.