by

Mr. Hoegh

Introduction | Websites | Rubric | Summary

Introduction

Earthquakes have had quite an impact on our society in the past, and
they will continue to have that Earth-shattering (literally!) impact in the
future. It is highly unlikely that any of us have physically experienced
one of these natural disasters, and I hope that none of us ever will.
What do you think it would be like to experience a Great Quake? What
would you do? How would you feel about the total loss of control in the
situation? Today, you will learn about some of the Great Quakes in
history. Through first-hand accounts of people who were fortunate to
live through a large earthquake, you will get a chance to learn about
what it was like to experience one of these historical natural disasters.

Here’s the plan:

1. First, you will be assigned ONE historical Great Quake to research
(the links for each quake are given below). Research the different
sites, making sure to write short notes along the way.
 2. After 25 minutes of exploring the sites, your group will come
together to share interesting
stories and facts about the
earthquake you researched.
3. During the class discussion at the
end of class today, each group will
share what they found interesting
in their research with the rest of
the class.
4. AS AN INDIVIDUAL, you will share
your thoughts about these personal
experiences with earthquakes in
your blog response. Try to address
TWO of the following THREE
questions:
a. What was the most
memorable story, image, or fact about the earthquake you
researched? Why?
b. What do you think it was like to live through the earthquake
you researched?
c. Have you ever experienced another natural disaster, such as
a tornado, hurricane, severe thunderstorm, or flood? Create
your own personal recollection of living through the
destruction that event caused.

Scroll down to see the rubric that will be used to assess achievement
for these activities.

Web Links

Loma Prieta, California (1989)

o http://www.exploratorium.edu/faultline/great/loma1.html
• http://www.exploratorium.edu/faultline/activezone/media/vid-
worldseries.html
• http://www.exploratorium.edu/faultline/activezone/media/vid-
cruz-house.html
o http://geology.about.com/library/weekly/aa101799.htm
o http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?
file=/chronicle/archive/1999/10/12/MN41QUA.DTL
o http://www.notfrisco.com/calmem/earthquake/lomaprieta.html
o http://earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/states/events/1989_10_18.php
 Hebgen Lake, Montana (1959)

o http://www.seis.utah.edu/lqthreat/nehrp_htm/1959hebg/c1959he1.sh
tml#1
o http://www.seis.utah.edu/lqthreat/nehrp_htm/1959hebg/i1959he1.sht
ml#orton
o http://www.seis.utah.edu/lqthreat/nehrp_htm/1959hebg/n1959he2.sh
tml#mqijtsb
o http://earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/states/events/1959_08_18.php
o http://libraryphoto.cr.usgs.gov/cgi-bin/search.cgi?
search_mode=exact&selection=Hebgen+Lake+Earthquake+1959%7CHebg
en+Lake%7CEarthquake%7C1959 – pictures

San Francisco, California (1906)

o http://www.exploratorium.edu/faultline/great/1906/index.html
o http://www.sfmuseum.org/1906/06.html -- click on the links provided
o http://www.crustal.ucsb.edu/ics/understanding/accounts/london.html
o http://www.notfrisco.com/calmem/earthquake/1906.html
o http://earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/states/events/1906_04_18.
php

Owens Valley, California (1872)

o http://www.crustal.ucsb.edu/ics/understanding/accounts/muir.h
tml
o http://www.johnmartin.com/earthquakes/eqsafs/safs_642.htm
 o http://earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/states/events/1872_03_26.
php

Rubric

RUBRIC beginning medium expert

An
No real
Some enthusiastic
exploration.
exploration, exploration of
Only a half-
but no real most of the
hearted
Exploration drive to sites on the
attempt to
explore the page shows a
look into the
topic more drive to find
Web sites
deeply. out more and
linked.
to look within.
A positive
No personal connection is Class
connection to shown in the discussion
the topic was class shows a
really made, discussion, strong
Depth of just going perhaps personal
Connection through the through a connection is
motions willingness to evident in the
during the share or high level of
class discuss the enthusiasm
discussion. topic with displayed.
others.
Final Evidence Blog entry Blog entry
Product from the blog shows level of indicates a
entry care taken that high level of
indicates that reflects a care and
little care was personal creativity
shown while commitment, shows a
going through as well as sincere
the process. some creativity connection to
in the process the topic.
 and discussion.

Summary

I hope that these tasks (exploration, class discussion, and blog

entry) stimulated further interest in earthquakes. The process of
discovery was in full motion today. Let’s discover more about
earthquakes tomorrow!

Last updated (January 2010).