Earthquakes
Main Topics | Standards | Science Probe | Lessons | Resources
- Main Topics & Concepts
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When most people thing about seismic safety, they
think about emergency rations of water and food. However,
there is much more. Students (particularly in California)
should learn about seismic hazard and about methods to
retrofit buildings to ensure structural safety.
- Standards
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SFUSD Performance Standard 17.4: "...They
should recognize that major earth processes such as
earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and other natural
disasters are associated with plate boundaries..."
- Science Probe Text
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Science Probe II, Chapter 13, Section 13.4
addresses aspects of seismic safety.
Activity Access Description No Science Probe activities for this unit. - Activities & Lessons
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Activity Access Description Big Trouble in Earthquake Country Lawrence Hall of Science
An online lesson in earthquake hazards that makes use of Web resources. Students use these and other resources to assess earthquake hazards. Earthquake Safety Crossword Puzzle Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG)
A crossword puzzle with clues related to earthquake safety and preparedness, with some focus on the San Francisco Bay Area. It may either be downloaded from the Web site or solved interactively online. Designing Structures to perform well during an earthquake MCEER
This guide reviews the variables that control building response to an earthquake and then provides an exercise for making wood frame, masonry, and steel frame structures. Making a shake table MCEER
This guide presents three different shake tables, two of which can be constructed from easily obtained materials. Quake-smart siting 
Section 5 of Unit 2 from Seismic Sleuths focuses on the important geological considerations in choosing a building site or reinforcing a building for earthquake survivability. It contains a map reading exercise and could easily be coupled with the Seismic Hazard Maps resources. Can buildings be made safer?
Unit 4 of Seismic Sleuths is focused on how ground shaking causes damage to buildings. It contains 5 lessons and building activities. The Building Oscillation Seismic Simulation explores resonance, while several lessons demonstrate the importance of horizontal forces in building damage. What should people do before, during, and after an earthquake?
Unit 5 of Seismic Sleuths is focused on various aspects of seismic safety. It contains 5 lesssons, including one on earthquake prediction (based on Ivan Browning), an earthquake drill, a check list of potential hazards in the classroom and home, and other activities oriented toward mitigation. - Resources
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Resources Access Description Seismic Hazard Maps
These 4 resources (from different sources) provide access to sesimic hazard maps. These maps allow the public to make educated decisions about where to live and work. These web sites could be used in a project comparing seismic hazard in different states - or in different counties. The USGS National maps allow you to make your own map. The Next Big Earthquake USGS
An online publication of the USGS. Developed as an insert for Bay Area newspapers after Loma Prieta. Contains some useful background on local seismicity as well as material on earthquake preparedness. Putting Down Roots in Earthquake Country USGS
An online publication of the USGS. Developed as an insert for Southern California newspapers after Northridge. Contains some useful background on local seismicity as well as material on earthquake preparedness. Designing for Earthquakes Department of Civil Engineering, Bristol University
A tutorial on engineering design. Perhaps too technical for most students, but useful for teachers seeking a review. Earthquake Engineering NISEE
A comprehensive introduction to earthquake engineering, written by V. Bertero at UC Berkeley. Extremely detailed, but an excellent resource.