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Lesson 7 of 7
  • Year 6

Using digital maps to identify patterns of earthquakes around the world

I can use a geographic information system (GIS) to see patterns in where earthquakes occur around the world and predict their likely impact.

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Lesson 7 of 7
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  • Year 6

Using digital maps to identify patterns of earthquakes around the world

I can use a geographic information system (GIS) to see patterns in where earthquakes occur around the world and predict their likely impact.

Download all

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. GIS can be used to identify the patterns of earthquakes around the world.
  2. Major earthquakes occur on or near plate boundaries.
  3. GIS can be used to predict the impact of earthquakes on humans.
  4. The impact of earthquakes is affected by the power of the earthquake and how many people live nearby.

Keywords

  • Geographic information system - a GIS contains digital maps that allow us to see and understand geographical patterns

  • Plate boundary - where two tectonic plates meet

  • Layer - geographical information that can be added to a digital map

Common misconception

Earthquakes always take place on plate boundaries.

Most earthquakes take place on or near plate boundaries, but some smaller earthquakes can happen away from plate boundaries.


To help you plan your year 6 geography lesson on: Using digital maps to identify patterns of earthquakes around the world, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Teachers may wish pupils to complete the GIS tasks alongside the video modelling, by showing the video in short sections and then asking pupils to complete each part of the instructions.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Computers, laptops or tablets with an internet connection.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), 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

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is a digital map?

a paper map printed out
a type of video game involving a map
Correct answer: a map you can view on a computer, tablet, or phone

Q2.
What is an earthquake?

Correct answer: the sudden shaking of the ground caused by movements of the Earth's crust
a violent eruption of magma caused by pressure under the Earth's crust
a huge storm that brings lots of rain and strong winds

Q3.
Magnitude is a measure of the size of an earthquake. Put these earthquakes in order of magnitude, from the smallest to the largest.

1 - 7.0: 2010 Haiti earthquake
2 - 7.8: 2023 Turkey and Syria earthquakes
3 - 9.1: Japan earthquake and tsunami
4 - 9.2: the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami

Q4.
The Earth's crust is split into large ...

1 - P
2 - L
3 - A
4 - T
5 - E
6 - S

Q5.
Why might GIS help us to study earthquakes?

it allows us to watch videos of earthquakes
Correct answer: it add layers of information to help us identify patterns and risk areas
it allows us to see what weather patterns cause earthquakes

Q6.
Which of these can happen as a result of earthquakes?

Correct answer: buildings collapse
hurricanes
Correct answer: landslides
Correct answer: tsunamis
tornadoes

Assessment exit quiz

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5 Questions

Q1.
What does a geographic information system do?

Correct answer: helps you to see geographical patterns easier
controls satellites and tells them where to fly
Correct answer: uses digital maps with data
creates personal weather forecasts for each user

Q2.
If each of these locations were impacted by an earthquake of the same size, which would be most likely to see the biggest impact on people?

in the centre of a desert
Correct answer: near a capital city
in the middle of a rainforest
near a mountain village

Q3.
Most earthquakes take place on or near plate , but some smaller earthquakes can happen away from plate boundaries.

Correct Answer: boundaries, margins

Q4.
Which of these factors affect the impact of an earthquake on people?

Correct answer: distance they are from the earthquake
Correct answer: the size (magnitude) of the earthquake
the amount of lava that erupts

Q5.
What tool on the Geography Visualiser helps us to find out how far away an earthquake is?

1 - M
2 - E
3 - A
4 - S
5 - U
6 - R
7 - E