Earthquakes

Earthquakes
Publication Date: January, 2014
Type of Resource: Weblink

This online resource investigates fault lines and earthquakes.

The resource has been developed by Geoscience Australia specifically for use in the classroom and the material available on the site examines the occurrence and origins of earthquakes based on the plate tectonics model and has an overview of plate tectonics that distinguishes between the types of faults found at the different types of plate boundaries.

Information about the recording and measurement of earthquakes is provided as well as details about primary and secondary earthquake waves and the methods used for locating the epicentre of an earthquake.

The impacts of earthquakes is also examined through case studies of significant Australian and international earthquakes. The intraplate nature of Australian earthquakes is compared to the more common interplate earthquakes occurring at plate boundaries and earthquake monitoring and tsunami warning systems are also investigated.

A number of engaging student activities lead students through the process of determining the location of earthquake epicentres using seismograph data as well as observational data provided in the Mercalli scale.

Teachers will find this resource valuable as the information is detailed and provides excellent background information and explanations of the concepts associated with earthquakes. This resource could be used across a number of different learning stages from Year 6 through to Year 9 and even senior studies.

All student activities have answers supplied.

Australian Curriculum v9 Codes: AC9S8U03 (Year 8)

Additional Information

The material is made available under a Creative Commons attribution 4.0 International Licence.

Australian Curriculum:
  • Year 6 > Science Inquiry Skills > Processing and analysing data and information > Compare data with predictions and use as evidence in developing explanations > ACSIS221
  • Year 6 > Science Understanding > Earth and Space Sciences > Sudden geological changes and extreme weather events can affect Earth’s surface > ACSSU096
  • Year 6 > Science as a Human Endeavour > Use and influence of science > Scientific knowledge is used to solve problems and inform personal and... > ACSHE100
  • Year 9 > Science Inquiry Skills > Processing and analysing data and information > Analyse patterns and trends in data, including describing relationships between... > ACSIS169
  • Year 9 > Science Understanding > Earth and Space Sciences > The theory of plate tectonics explains global patterns of geological activity... > ACSSU180
  • Year 9 > Science as a Human Endeavour > Nature and development of science > Scientific understanding, including models and theories, is contestable and is... > ACSHE157
  • Year 9 > Science as a Human Endeavour > Use and influence of science > Values and needs of contemporary society can influence the focus of scientific... > ACSHE228