In this roll play activity students are preparing to be interviewed by the local media about a recent newsworthy quake. The student worksheet walks students through a series of questions to help them prepare. Answering the questions requires making use of the event specific details and the background information provided. However, all answers must be combined with a broader geologic understanding to truly prepare. The activity as provided uses the May 12, 2008 - Sichuan Earthquake as an example. However, the activity could be updated by providing students with similar information from a more recent quake.
Author: Seth Stein, Northwestern University (seth@earth.northwestern.edu)
Students will be able to:
The "moment magnitude" scale has replaced the Richter scale for large earthquakes. Scientists have developed far-more sensitive seismometers that, with faster computers, have enabled them to record & interpret a broader spectrum of seismic signals than was possible in the 1930's, when the Richter magnitude was developed. Find out what scientists learn from seismograms.
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