Living in earthquake regions
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain to what extent people can anticipate earthquakes and how they survive living in areas affected by earthquakes.
Key learning points
- Scientists can calculate the probability of an earthquake happening within an area in the future.
- It is not currently possible to predict exactly when or where earthquakes will occur.
- Earthquake detection can only provide seconds of warning.
- Drop-cover-hold is practised during earthquake drills.
- Base isolators, flexible building materials, strong shapes and mass dampers help create earthquake-resistant buildings.
Keywords
Probability - the chance of something occurring, such as an earthquake
Prediction - saying exactly when, where and what will happen
Detection - identifying that something has just happened or is happening now
Common misconception
Earthquakes can be predicted a few weeks or days before they happen so that people can evacuate.
Humans can calculate the probability of an earthquake happening within a region, over a long period of time. It is not possible to predict exactly when or where earthquakes will occur, or of what size.
Teacher tip
To engage students you could introduce a simple earthquake drill "When I shout earthquake you need to drop to the floor, cover under the table and hold on." For even more suspense say that you may do this at any time for the rest of the unit.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What causes most earthquakes?
Q2.Where do earthquakes usually happen?
Q3.What does a seismograph measure?
Q4.What is the Richter Scale used for?
Q5.Which of the following is a primary effect of an earthquake?
Q6.What is a common secondary effect of an earthquake?
Assessment exit quiz
5 Questions
Q1.Match the keywords to their definitions.
Chance of something happening
Saying what will happen and when
Spotting something as it happens
Q2.Why do people still live in earthquake-prone areas?
Q3.Which of these is most likely in an earthquake-prone area?
Q4.Why is it hard to predict earthquakes?
Q5.Which statement best addresses a common idea about prediction?
To help you plan your 8 geography lesson on: Living in earthquake regions, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 geography lesson on: Living in earthquake regions, 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.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
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.