Name:____________________
Natural Disaster Research Guide
Timeline:
Media Center
Research Guide Due
Booklet Rough Draft due
Diorama and Booklet due
Project Show
January 12-15
Wednesday January 14
Thursday January 15
Wednesday January 21
Thursday, January 22
Tutoring Times:
Wednesday, January 14, 4-5
Tuesday, January 20, 4-5
Topics: Please choose a Natural Disaster and research the event. You may choose from the list below or
have Mrs. Cunningham approve your request.
Suggested Topics for Plate Tectonics Events:
Suggested Topics for Weather Events:
Vesuvius 79AD
Hurricane Katrina 2005
Krakatoa 1883
Hurricane Rita 2005
Eruption of Mt St Helens May 18, 1980
Hurricane Ike 2005
Chile Earthquake 2010
Superstorm Sandy 2012
Haiti Earthquake 2010
Joplin Tornado 2011
California Earthquake 1906, 1989, 1994
Mississippi Flood The Great Flood of 1993
Indonesian Tsunami 2004
Cyclone Nargis 2008
Japanese Tsunami 2011
Hurricane Andrew 1993
Pakistan Earthquake 2005
Bastrop Fire 2011
Oso Washington Mudslide 2014
Suggested Topics for Anthropogenic Events:
Suggested Topics for Extraterrestrial Events:
BP Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill 2010
Chixalub Crater 65 million years ago
Exxon Valdez Oil Spill 1989
Pacific Gyre Garbage Patch – Ongoing
Three Mile Island Nuclear Disaster 1979
Chernobyl 1986
Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone, Ongoing
Global Climate Change
Name:____________________
Natural Disaster:___________________________
Magnitude:___________________
Death Toll:_______________
Type of Disaster:___________________
Date of Occurrence:___________________
Cost:_________________
Questions:
Sources: Use easybib.com
What is a Natural Disaster?
Describe the general characteristics associated with the disaster type you are
researching.
How is the disaster type measured and classified?
Name:____________________
What is the magnitude the Natural Disaster that you have researched?
Describe your disaster.
What factors make an area prone to your disaster?
How many lives were lost during the disaster?
What causes the disaster?
Is the disaster a Plate Tectonic or an Weather Phenomenon?
Where does it usually occur?
For plate tectonics, please explain the associated crustal feature (fault, volcano) and plate boundary.
Please include the names of the plates.
Name:____________________
For atmospheric phenomena, please explain the associated weather event.
How frequently does it occur? Is the natural disaster a repetitive event?
How can it be predicted?
How did it affect people, property, land and economy?
What steps were taken for disaster preparation prior to the event?
What role did the government play in the execution of the disaster plan?
How can a both individuals and the community prepare for future disasters?
Name:____________________
10 Interesting Facts about the Natural Disaster
Sources:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Name:____________________
4 Graphics about your Natural Hazard
1. Map of the region affected by your disaster.
Sources:
2. Scientific Model of your disaster.
Sources:
3. Please include at least 5 Interesting picture or drawing that relates to the
information presented in your paper.
Sources:
4. Find a graph regarding the impacts of your natural disaster.
Sources:
a. What type of graph did you choose (circle graph, bar graph or line
graph)
b. Is your graph showing reliable data?
c. What is the purpose of the graph?
Name:____________________
Diorama Requirements:
 Diorama be no larger than a copy paper box.

Diorama must contain a minimum of two interactive elements.

Diorama should be engaging, neat and scientifically accurate.
Major Components of your diorama.
Interactive elements of your diorama:
Diorama Sketch:
Booklet Rubric
Name:____________________
A
Content
25%
Accurately includes
requirements for
booklet.
Supporting
Evidence
25%
Includes all research
criteria with
accurate supporting
details for each.
B
Missing one or two
requirements or
inaccurate.
Has some relevant
details that support
topic.
Graphics
25%
At least 5 relevant
graphics.
Graphics are present
but not relevant.
Sources
10%
Derived from at least
3 reliable sources
cited correctly in
MLA format
Derived from 2
reliable sources, but
not cited correctly.
Easy to read
Organization
Appropriate size and
And Presentation spacing
No spelling or
15%
grammatical errors
One or two spelling
or grammatical
errors. Size and
spacing needs some
adjustment.
C
Missing 3 or 4
requirements.
D
Missing more than 4
requirements.
Needs more relevant
details.
Does not attempt to
have any supporting
evidence.
Minimal Graphics
Graphics not
included
Has one source, but
may not be cited
correctly.
Does not cite any
sources.
Spacing and size are
too small or large.
More than 3 spelling
or grammatical
errors.
Does not show any
organization of
thoughts.
Diorama Rubric
A
Scientifically
Accurate
Representation
35%
Interactive
Elements
30%
Creativity and
Appearance
35%
Diorama is realistic
and informative
interpretation of
disaster.
Include 2 interactive
elements that
enhance the quality
of the diorama.
The diorama presents
an engaging
interpretation of the
disaster.
Booklet Rubric Score: __________
Diorama Rubric Score: _________
Overall Grade:_________________
B
Diorama contains
unrealistic aspects,
but is still
informative.
C
Diorama contains
unrealistic elements
and is not
scientifically sound.
Two interactive
One interactive
elements are present. element is present.
The diorama is lacks
creativity or
neatness.
The diorama is lacks
both creativity and
neatness.
D
Diorama is
inadequate
representation of
disaster.
Diorama is
missing
interactive
elements.
The diorama
shows minimal
effort.