Last week, Japan suffered an 8.9 magnitude earthquake, followed by a severe tsunami that washed up to 6 miles in shore in places. News coverage has been continuous—for ongoing coverage, visit http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/.
This is an excellent time to teach children about earthquakes and tsunamis. As a part of this lesson, develop a family emergency plan. Make and practice an earthquake and, if applicable to your area, tsunami plan.
Earthquake and Tsunami activities (ordered easy to difficult):
- Simulate an earthquake. Place a thick layer of dirt over a cookie sheet. Use sticks and thread to create power lines and branches for trees. Use cars and figurine people. Have the child guess what the safest location would be. Shake the cookie sheet to simulate an earthquake, and watch what happens. Discuss the results compared to the child’s guess. (http://www.fema.gov/kids/jessnsam/ex01.htm)
- Simulate a tsunami. In a rectangular aquarium, create a beach out of sand and gravel. Add little houses, cars, trees, people etc. for effect. Fill a large bag with rocks and empty it quickly in the opposite end of the aquarium. Watch to see the effects of the wave. (http://www.odec.ca/projects/2005/nara5n0/public_html/) (or do it this way -- http://www.all-science-fair-projects.com/science_fair_projects/25/297/ba2fb6f2868bf01ab540c85addda5309.html)
- Make a seismograph with these instructions: http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_ideas/Geo_p017.shtml?fave=no&isb=empty&from=TSW
- Demonstrate the different types of earthquakes with hand motions and a sealed bag full of water. http://thehappyscientist.com/science-experiment/earthquakes-and-tsunami
- Make a shake table using these designs: http://jclahr.com/science/earth_science/shake/plans/deni/index.html
- Determine what type of harbor barriers best protect against tsunamis (http://www.usc.edu/CSSF/History/2005/Projects/J0608.pdf)
As always, the depth of lesson should depend on the age, maturity and prior knowledge of your children. Below are some resources that can help you teach tsunami and earthquake lessons!
If possible, consider donating a Japanese Disaster Relief fund: http://www.google.com/crisisresponse/japanquake2011.html
If possible, consider donating a Japanese Disaster Relief fund: http://www.google.com/crisisresponse/japanquake2011.html
New York Times: 20 Ways to Teach about the Disaster in Japan Across the Curriculum
This interesting list offers 20 suggestions on ways to teach specifically about the Japanese earthquake and tsunami disaster.
USGS Kids
In addition to showing maps with all of the recent quakes, the USGS website contains valuable facts, visuals and interactive materials.
NOAA Tsunami Brochure
This brochure provides safety instructions in the event of a tsunami.
United States Search & Rescue Task Force: Tsunamis
This site offers some good information on tsunamis.
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