Name: __________________________________________ Date: _________ Period: ______
EARTHQUAKE WEBQUEST
An earthquake (also known
as tremors and temblors) is the result of
a sudden release of energy in the Earth's
crust that creates seismic waves.
Earthquakes are recorded with
a seismometer, also known as a
seismograph. The moment magnitude of
an earthquake is conventionally reported,
or the related Richter magnitude, with
magnitude 3 or lower earthquakes being
mostly imperceptible and magnitude 7
causing serious damage over large areas.
Intensity of shaking is also measured on
the modified Mercalli scale.
At the Earth's surface, earthquakes
manifest themselves by shaking and
sometimes displacing the ground. When a large earthquake epicenter is located offshore, the
seabed sometimes suffers sufficient displacement to cause a tsunami. The shaking in earthquakes
can also trigger landslides and occasionally volcanic activity.
In its most generic sense, the word earthquake is used to describe any seismic event—whether a
natural phenomenon or an event caused by humans—that generates seismic waves. Earthquakes
are caused mostly by rupture of geological faults, but also by volcanic activity, landslides, mine
blasts, and nuclear experiments. An earthquake's point of initial rupture is called
its focus or hypocenter. The term epicenter refers to the point at ground level directly above this.
Reuters News Service
http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE4B10X520081202
1. How deep was the earthquake which struck Taiwan on December 1, 2008?
2. When was the most recent, worse earthquake to strike Taiwan? Describe it.
USGS Earthquake Hazards Program
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/
Use the USGS Latest Earthquake Map to answer the following questions.
1. When was the most recent earthquake and what was its magnitude?
2. Where was the most recent earthquake closest to Oak Ridge, NJ TODAY? Give a few
details.
USGS Archives
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/eqarchives/
Find Earthquake information by state, and go to New Jersey.
1. When and where was the most recent earthquake in New Jersey?
2. Go to Historic information and describe the type of damage due to earthquakes typically
seen in New Jersey.
USGS Earthquake Hazards Program- North American Map
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Maps/region/N_America.php
1. When and where was the strongest, recent earthquake in the US since this month?
2. What was its magnitude?
3. Describe the earthquake that occurred in the Mid Atlantic in within the past 3 months.
FEMA Earthquake
http://www.fema.gov/hazard/earthquake/index.shtm
1. Before an earthquake what kind of shoes does FEMA recommend you purchase?
2. During an earthquake should you stay indoors or outdoors? Why?
National Geographic: Tsunami 2004
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/12/1227_041226_tsunami.html
1. How large was the earthquake that caused the 2004 Tsunami in the Indian Ocean?
2. How tall were the largest waves that struck the coastlines around the earthquakes
epicenter?
3. What type of plate boundary and what kind of fault caused this tsunami?
Japan Earthquake of 2011
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/1761942/Japan-earthquake-and-tsunami-of-2011
1. How large and what time was the Japan earthquake in 2011?
2. What type of plate boundary and what kind of fault caused this earthquake?
3. Describe the plate movement and the effects of this earthquake?