Earthquakes
I can describe where earthquakes occur and explain how they happen.
Earthquakes
I can describe where earthquakes occur and explain how they happen.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- Earthquakes are sudden, violent movements of the ground caused by tectonic plate movement.
- Earthquakes usually happen on or near plate boundaries.
- At a plate boundary two plates are locked together, yet moving in different directions.
- When rock fractures at a plate boundary this causes an earthquake.
- Small earthquakes can also occur far from plate boundaries.
Keywords
Tectonic plates - the huge pieces that Earth’s surface is broken into
Plate boundary - where two plates meet
Fault lines - fractures in Earth’s surface
Focus point - the point deep underground where the tectonic plates first break
Common misconception
Plate boundaries are clean cuts through the ground which separate two plates.
There is not one fault but many, which make up a plate boundary and the rock is locked together across the two plates.
To help you plan your year 8 geography lesson on: Earthquakes, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 8 geography lesson on: Earthquakes, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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Explore more key stage 3 geography lessons from the Tectonic hazards: Why is Earth restless? unit, dive into the full secondary geography curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
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