APPLICATIONS & INVESTIGATIONS IN EARTH SCIENCE
NAME: ______________________________
EXERCISE 8
CLASS: ______________________________
RESPONSE FORM
DATE: ______________________________
1) To further aid in your understanding of earthquakes, complete the virtual earthquake exercise at this Geology
Labs Online site. After you finish your investigation, write a brief summary of your experience.
(NOTE: Print and attach a copy of your "Certificate of Completion" from the virtual earthquake exercise.)
2) Beginning at this United States Geological Survey (USGS) Web site, research the most current worldwide
earthquake events. When you have finished your investigation, prepare a short newspaper article that describes
this recent earthquake activity. Be sure to note any evident patterns associated with earthquake locations.
3) Using the information presented at this Global Seismic Hazard Assessment Program Web site and the USGS
Earthquake Hazards site, prepare a short report describing the potential for earthquake damage both worldwide
and at your immediate location.
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4) As you have seen from the exercise, earthquakes are an indirect means of probing the Earth's interior.
According to information at this USGS earthquake research Web site:
a) How are earthquakes used to determine the thickness of Earth's crust?
b) What is the approximate average thickness of (1) the continental crust, and (2) the oceanic crust?
c) What geographic region on Earth has the greatest crustal thickness?
d) What is the crustal thickness at your location in both kilometers and miles?
5) Research the terms listed in the NetSearch module of this exercise. Following your search, write short reports on
any two of the terms.