New
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The location of major earthquake zones
I can describe and explain the location of major earthquake zones.
Lesson 3 of 7
New
New
- Year 6
The location of major earthquake zones
I can describe and explain the location of major earthquake zones.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Every 30 seconds there is an earthquake somewhere in the world - including in Britain.
- Maps can be investigated to locate major earthquake zones.
- Earthquakes occur near the boundary of tectonic plates.
Keywords
Tectonic plates - The huge pieces that Earth’s crust is broken into are known as tectonic plates.
Plate boundaries - The point where two tectonic plates meet is known as a plate boundary.
Mantle - The mantle is the layer between Earth’s outer core and crust. It is the largest layer of Earth and is mostly semi-molten lava.
Common misconception
Earthquakes only occur at tectonic plate boundaries.
Earthquakes can occur anywhere in the world, but they are most commonly found at tectonic plate boundaries.
Get up-to-date details of earthquakes in the UK and globally using the British Geological Survey and US Geological Survey websites.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Computers can be used to access the USGS website.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.How many countries make up the UK?
How many countries make up the UK?
Q2.View the diagram and order the layers of Earth starting with the inner most layer.
View the diagram and order the layers of Earth starting with the inner most layer.
Q3.The strength of an earthquake is also called its...
The strength of an earthquake is also called its...
Q4.Which scale is commonly used to measure the magnitude of earthquakes?
Which scale is commonly used to measure the magnitude of earthquakes?
Richter scale
Mercalli Scale
Q5.Earthquakes with a magnitude of 7-10 on the moment magnitude scale are classed as...
Earthquakes with a magnitude of 7-10 on the moment magnitude scale are classed as...
minor
moderate
Q6.Earthquakes with a magnitude of 1-3 on the moment magnitude scale are classed as...
Earthquakes with a magnitude of 1-3 on the moment magnitude scale are classed as...
moderate
fair
major
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Approximately, how often do earthquakes occur around the world?
Approximately, how often do earthquakes occur around the world?
every 10 seconds
Every 1 minute
Q2.What are tectonic plates?
What are tectonic plates?
Q3.What does the yellow circle represent in the diagram shown?
What does the yellow circle represent in the diagram shown?
All natural disasters that have occured in the UK
Cities in the UK
Predicted earthquakes in the UK
Q4.The point where two tectonic plates meet is known as a....
The point where two tectonic plates meet is known as a....
Q5.Where do the majority of earthquakes occur?
Where do the majority of earthquakes occur?
continent boundaries
country boundaries
sea and land boundaries
Q6.Which of Earth's layers is being melted and moved causing tectonic plate movement?
Which of Earth's layers is being melted and moved causing tectonic plate movement?
