TeachersFirst's Earthquake Resources
Other TeachersFirst Special Topics Collections

Whether you teach about earthquakes as part of a unit on plate tectonics in an Earth Science class or need resources to explain a recent natural disaster, this collection of reviewed resources from TeachersFirst is selected to help teachers and students understand how earthquakes happen and learn about famous earthquakes in history. Also included are sites and tools well suited for projects about earthquakes. View all of our resources tagged Earthquakes.
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Stop Disasters - International Strategies for Disaster Reduction
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): disasters (42), earth (226), earthquakes (52), fire (27), floods (13), hurricanes (40), natural disasters (21), sun (76), tsunamis (18)
In the Classroom
Create groups of students to run scenarios. Student groups can analyze and determine best scenarios and courses of actions for prevention. After play, groups can analyze past disasters for real life perspectives as well as current conditions in the world for current disaster prevention measures. Use an interactive map to plot locations students find for each disaster. Have students use a mapping tool such as Click2Map, reviewed here, to create a map with stories pictures, and video included! Student groups can create a conventional or multimedia presentation on the different types of disasters and possible locations around the world.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Earthquake - Virtual courseware for Earth and Environmental Sciences
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): earth (226), earthquakes (52), geology (77), weather (211)
In the Classroom
Use the data to determine epicenter as well as the magnitude of an event. Use data from other sources to determine the same. Use this demo on your interactive whiteboard or projector after discussing specific information about earthquakes and part of a final project. Use the simulations to learn more about how scientists determine where earthquakes start.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Understanding Earthquakes - University of California Santa Barbara
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): earth (226), earthquakes (52), weather (211)
In the Classroom
Use the information as an introductory activity to disasters. Use the data to identify common places where earthquakes occur, research the different types of faults, provide information of the various earthquakes and locations affected, or as a springboard for individual or class projects. Note that much of the information is text-heavy, so younger readers will need assistance reading.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Dynamic Earth - Annenberg Media
Grades
4 to 9tag(s): earth (226), earthquakes (52), geology (77), mountains (17), plate tectonics (22), volcanoes (65)
In the Classroom
Use this site as an introduction to Geology or Earth Science or as a review of concepts previously learned in class. Use the site as a springboard for additional activities such as mapping where most earthquakes occur. Follow up with ways to prepare for earthquakes, design buildings to withstand earthquakes, or other important topics. Augment technology use in class by having students work in teams to share various aspects of earthquake knowledge for an audience of people living in an earthquake zone using Padlet, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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A Science Odyssey: Mountain Maker, Earth Shaker - PBS
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): earth (226), earthquakes (52), landforms (47), plate tectonics (22)
In the Classroom
Share the plate tectonics siumlator on an interactve whiteboard as you learn about the different ways that plates interact. Be sure to allow students to move the plates and name the resulting changes. To further reinforce the plate activiites, have pairs of students create animated graphics on slides in PowerPoint slides showing the motions of the plates and labeling them. This could also be an alternative assessment that shows real understanding. If they can add their own sound effects, they will really enjoy themselves!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Faultline - Exploratorium
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): earth (226), earthquakes (52), plate tectonics (22)
In the Classroom
Share this site on an interactive whiteboard or projector. As a class go through the information titled Great Shakes, then show students how navigate through the site on their own. Have students take notes on the material and write down questions they still have and topics that confuse them. They can do this with pen and paper or online. If you want the assignment online, explain to students they need to open a new tab in their browser window and take notes with a tool such as Memo Notepad, reviewed here; tell students to be sure to save the URL to share their notes and questions with you and their peers. Conclude this lesson by having small groups of students click on "Active Zone" and choose one of the creative, hands-on activities to bring into your classroom and demonstrate on an assigned day (they'll love the cream-filled cookie one!).Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Seismic Monitor - c
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): earth (226), earthquakes (52), sun (76), tsunamis (18), volcanoes (65)
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Savage Earth - WNET
Grades
4 to 6tag(s): earth (226), earthquakes (52), sun (76), tsunamis (18), waves (23)
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Earthquake Resources for Teachers - USGS
Grades
4 to 9tag(s): earth (226), earthquakes (52), geology (77), plate tectonics (22)
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Earthquakes for Kids - USGS
Grades
4 to 8tag(s): earth (226), earthquakes (52)
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