NEPTUNE Canada

Earthquakes and Modern Technology (Grade 7)

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Learning Objective(s)

This lesson aims for students to gain an awareness of technological advances and how this new technology can affect our lives for the better. Introduce the idea of hazard prediction and preparedness. Explain how earthquakes cannot be predicted but after-effects such as landslides and tsunamis may be predicted and avoided. To gain an appreciation for modern technology in predicting and assessing risks.

Introduction

Introduce NEPTUNE and how it has the capabilities to detect an earthquake. Explain how an earthquake can trigger a landslide. Underwater this can generate a tsunami (tidal wave) which grows until it hits land and causes devastation on a global scale.

Materials

• Video camera
  
• Internet
  
• Maps

Activity

• Go around the class counting the students 1, 2 or 3.
  
• All the number ones are in charge of the video camera.
  
• Number twos are the presenters.
  
• Number threes are the researchers.
• The goal is to produce a report of an earthquake which has occurred off the coast of British Columbia.
  
• Split the class in two, with half of the groups reporting that the earthquake has caused complete devastation to cities and the coastal areas (Encourage the kids to think of after-effects; landslides, tsunamis, after shocks).
  
• The other half of the class had earthquake-proof buildings and access to NEPTUNE’s data and so therefore managed to avoid the panic caused by the tsunami. Ask these students to explain how NEPTUNE gets its data; how it issued the evacuation notice so fast and discuss how it saved the lives of those that live on the coast of Vancouver Island.

Extension

• Write a report on how landslides, earthquakes and tsunamis happen, what causes them, the effect they have on humans (with examples) and how modern technology can avoid un-necessary devastation.

Assessment

• How well do they work as a team? Did they all contribute to the report?
  
• Have they covered everything that may happen in a real-life scenario?
  
• Do they understand the use of NEPTUNE in reducing the damage caused by tsunamis?
  
• How was the presentation of the information?

Related Website

Tags

technology, hazard prediction, preparedness, earthquakes, landslides, tsunamis, tidal wave