Earthquake Concepts
handout exercisesuggested grade levels: 9-12 / College

view Idaho achievement standards for this lesson


Overview:
The crust of the earth is constantly moving. This movement can create stress that can change the shape of a body of rock. Sometimes stress builds up between two bodies of rock and they can slide past, over, or under one another fairly quickly. This sudden release of stress can cause earthquakes. Earthquakes can vary greatly in intensity. The following activity will teach students about earthquakes and what makes them occur.

Procedure:
1. Use the earthquake section of the Idaho Digital Atlas. To get there: Click on Atlas Home, mouse-over Geology, then click on Earthquakes.
2. Have your students read through the earthquake pages and encourage them to click on the links to examine the various pictures about earthquakes. Use this information to answer the following questions on the sample handout. For a printable pdf copy of the sample handout you can give your students, click below.

Handouts/Activities:
These are links to access the handouts and printable materials.
geo17ho.pdf | geo17AK.pdf | Earthquakes

Handout Sample:
The crust of the earth is constantly moving. This movement can create stress that can change the shape of a body of rock. Sometimes stress builds up between two bodies of rock and they can slide past, over, or under one another fairly quickly. This sudden release of stress can cause earthquakes. Earthquakes are most common near major faults. Use your knowledge to answer the following questions completely and accurately.

   1. What is the difference between compressive stress, tensional stress, and shear?
   2. What is the difference between strike and dip?
   3. Where, in relation to the crust, do most fractures occur compared to most plastic deformations?

Related Lesson Topics:
Geology: Geology Topics


Lesson plan by Vita Taube, 2000
Idaho Achievement Standards (as of 7/2001) met by completing this activity:

351.02
357.01.02
401.01.04.05
402.01.03.06