CGF3M ISU: A Natural Disaster Magazine
Name: ___________________
Length: 5-10 pages maximum (including map(s)/figures)
Worth: 10% of Final Mark (Articles # 1 & 2 will be given a prior assessment)
Due Date: ________________
Description
Using your interests, select an area of the world that has experienced many different types of
natural disasters (volcano, earthquake, tsunami, flood, tornado etc). With the knowledge and
skills acquired in this year, you will produce a magazine that illustrates at least 4 different types
of disaster events, including their causes, impacts, history and the geological/physical reasons for
the disturbance. Your written articles should also include an assessment of both the benefits and
costs to those who live in the wake of tectonic/disaster activity, as well as the international
communities’ response to global disasters. You are expected to present your findings in both
written and map form. Every effort should be made to use GIS or Google Earth applications,
access appropriate websites for information, and use technology to enhance the presentation of
your magazine. Each article magazine must contain proper facts, including an introduction, body
and conclusion. See below for greater details.
Be sure to include a proper Bibliography and reference all materials! You should aim to use a
minimum of 6 sources (two for each disaster). See Online Library Resources and your agenda
for citation styles.
Task
1. Choose one area (country/continent) of the world that has recently (or in the past)
experienced several natural disaster events, such as Hurricane, Earthquake, Blizzard,
Tornado, Avalanche, Volcanic eruption, Forest fire, Tsunamis, Landslides etc. Write a
brief introduction of your selected area/region explaining the geography (human and
physical characteristics) and location information for your reader.
2. Next, choose 3 disaster types, and for each, research and select a worthy CASE STUDY
example to report on. Use the following criteria as a guideline:
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Define your topic? (E.g. what is an earthquake?)
Geological or physical reasons for the most recent disturbance;
History of tectonic/disaster activity in the region selected;
Methods of prediction used;
Instruments used to record the event and monitor future activity;
Attempts to safeguard local communities (if any);
Impacts and destruction (and possibly the beneficial effects of
the plate movement or natural phenomena);
Immediate effect or impacts on nearby populations;
International community response to this disaster;
Ability of the affected community to rebuild….
Other?
CGF3M: Physical Geography
Canadian and World Studies
3. Be sure to include an original map for each disaster case study displaying the location
of the disturbance, the plate boundaries (if applicable), as well as affected communities
with demographic statistics of devastation. Moreover, use appropriate visuals, graphs,
charts, and pictures to enhance each magazine article. You should include headings and
sub-headings to organize your research report’s information.
Region/Area Background Information (1-2 paragraphs):
Natural Disaster Organizer
Disaster Type
Earthquake
Volcanic Eruption
Other?
Case Study Example
Facts
Recommended Websites:
National Geographic - http://www.nationalgeographic.com/ – Environment pages
USGS – http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/ -recent activity and research
USGS – http://www.earthquake.usgs.gov/ -recent activity and research
Pacific Tsunami Warning Center- http://ptwc.weather.gov/ - recent activity and research
The Canadian Avalanche Center- http://www.avalanche.ca/cac/ - Canadian based
National Hurricane Center- http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/- US based
Center for International Disaster Information - http://www.cidi.org/ - recent activity and research
CBC - http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2008/05/08/f-natural-disasters-history.html - The
World’s worst disasters
CGF3M: Physical Geography
Canadian and World Studies
ISU Rubric – Natural Disaster Magazine
Criteria
Expectations
Knowledge/
Understanding
Demonstrates an understanding
of facts and terms associated
with tectonic processes and/or
natural phenomena.
Demonstrates an understanding
of the mechanisms of change in
the earth’s crust and/or causes of
natural phenomena.
UC1.05 (10 Marks)
Thinking/Inquiry
Conducts an inquiry in order to
explain the geological and
physical reasons for a recent
disaster events.
Employs critical thinking skills
when assessing human impact,
prediction and preparation for
disaster.
GC1.04, SS3.01, HE2.02,
HE1.02. (10 Marks)
Communication
Uses maps and other visuals to
depict the locations of the
tectonic occurrence/natural
phenomena and details about the
surrounding area
Reports in writing the cause and
effect of the tectonic activity
and/or natural phenomena.
GI1.02, GI2.03 (10 Marks)
Application
Applies concepts and knowledge
of plate movement and tectonic
theory/natural phenomena to
recent current events.
SSV.02
Uses appropriate publishing
technology
Uses proper referencing style(s)
and research skills; used at least
8 sources
(10 Marks)
Submits a rough draft of articles
# 1 and 2 (5 marks each)
Name:
Level 1
(50 – 59%)
- demonstrates
limited knowledge
of facts and terms
Level 2
(60 – 69%)
- demonstrates
some knowledge of
facts and terms
Level 3
(70 – 79%)
- demonstrates
considerable
knowledge of facts
and terms
Level 4
(80 – 100%)
- demonstrates
thorough
knowledge of facts
and terms
- demonstrates
limited
understanding of
the mechanisms of
change and causes
- applies few of the
skills involved in an
inquiry process
- demonstrates
some understanding
of the mechanisms
of change and
causes
- applies some of
the skills involved
in an inquiry
process
- demonstrates
considerable
understanding of
the mechanisms of
change and causes
- applies most of
the skills involved
in an inquiry
process
- demonstrates
thorough
understanding of
the mechanisms of
change and causes
- applies all or
almost all of the
skills involved in an
inquiry process
- uses critical
thinking skills with
limited clarity and
effectiveness
- uses critical
thinking skills with
some clarity and
effectiveness
- uses critical
thinking skills with
considerable clarity
and effectiveness
- uses critical
thinking skills with
a high degree of
clarity and
effectiveness
- uses maps and
other
visuals/figures with
limited
effectiveness,
including missing a
few key elements
- communicates in
writing with limited
effectiveness
- uses maps and
other
visuals/figures with
some effectiveness
- uses maps and
other
visuals/figures with
considerable
effectiveness
- uses maps and
other
visuals/figures with
a high degree of
effectiveness
- communicates in
writing with some
effectiveness
- applies concepts
and knowledge with
limited
effectiveness
-uses inappropriate
applications for
magazine layout
and design
- uses a limited
amount of research
skills, including
formatting style
(less than 6
sources)
- applies concepts
and knowledge with
some effectiveness
-uses publishing
application with
limited
effectiveness
- uses some proper
research skills,
including
formatting style
(less than 8
sources)
- communicates in
writing with
considerable
effectiveness
- applies concepts
and knowledge with
considerable
effectiveness
-uses publishing
application with
considerable
effectiveness
- uses a
considerable
amount of proper
research skills,
including
formatting style (all
8 sources present)
- communicates in
writing with a high
degree of
effectiveness
- applies concepts
and knowledge with
a high degree of
effectiveness
- uses publishing
application with a
high degree of
professionalism and
effectiveness
- uses effective and
proper research
skills, including
formatting style
(includes more than
8 reliable sources)
Note: A student whose achievement is below level 1 (50%) has not met the expectations for this
independent study unit.
Total:
/ 50
CGF3M: Physical Geography
Canadian and World Studies