Earthquakes & Tsunamis Webquest
Directions: Use the following website to learn about Earthquakes and
Tsunamis. http://www.weatherwizkids.com/earthquake.htm
Earthquakes:
1. What is an earthquake? ________________________________________________________
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2. According to the map, what type of tectonic plate boundary is along the west coast of the
United States? Be careful; there is more than one type here.
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3. Follow the directions where it says, “Click Here” to see an animation of an earthquake.
 What is the name for the underground starting point of an earthquake? ____________________
 What are the two types of body waves produced by an earthquake? ______________________
 Which type of body wave travels faster? ____________________________________________
 Which type of body wave cannot travel through liquid? _________________________________
4. What is a fault? ______________________________________________________________
5. What is the main difference between a dip-slip fault and a strike-slip fault? ________________
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6. What is plate tectonics? Be sure to refresh the page to see the animation of how scientists
think the continents have drifted over Earth’s history.
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7. When an earthquake occurs, what is it that causes the damage? ________________________
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8. What should you do if an earthquake strikes your area? _______________________________
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Adapted from “Earthquakes & Tsunamis” State Framework
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Earthquakes & Tsunamis Webquest
Tsunamis:
9. How are tsunamis different from tidal waves? _______________________________________
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10. Follow the directions where it says “Click Here” to see an animation of an earthquake and
resulting tsunami.
 What is a subduction zone? ______________________________________________________
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 What causes a tsunami to form? __________________________________________________
 How fast do tsunamis travel in deep water? _________________________________________
 What happens to a tsunami when it approaches the shore? _____________________________
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 List all the reasons tsunamis are difficult to predict ____________________________________
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11. Look back at the map of Tectonic Plate Boundary Types. If tsunamis occur as a result of
earthquakes under the ocean floor, on the coast of which ocean would a tsunami most likely
make landfall? Remember they most often occur at subduction zones where two plates are
compressing together.
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Adapted from “Earthquakes & Tsunamis” State Framework
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