School: Meadowbrook High
Subject: Geography
Grade 10
Duration: 4 sessions @ 40 mins
Date: Oct 26-30, 2020
Topic: Earthquakes
General Objective: Students should be able to understand geomorphic, atmospheric and
biotic systems.
Specific Objectives: students should be able to:
1. Define the term earthquakes.
2. Identify the global distribution of earthquakes.
3. Describe at least three features of an earthquake.
4. Explain the causes of earthquakes.
5. Explain how earthquakes are measured.
Methodology: Questioning, Discussion, Videos
Instructional Materials: Books: Geography for CSEC by Michael Clarke, Erma Hutton,
Henderson Nurse, Judy Rocke and Simon Ross; Geography for CSEC by Paul Guinness, etal.
Computer.
Previous Knowledge: Students already know that the earth is divided into plates which
move across the earth’s crust.
Introductory Activity: A brainstorming activity will be done where students will say what
they know about earthquakes.
Lesson Activities:
1. Students will watch a video on earthquakes. From this video they will describe the
features of an earthquake. They will highlight the difference between hypocentre and
epicenter.
2. Students will explain the causes of earthquakes after discussion. Students will also
read notes posted to get a better understanding of earthquakes.
3. Students will look at a map showing the areas where
4. Students will go through notes more in depth to explain how earthquakes are
measured. The teacher will help to clear up any misconceptions
Evaluation 1:
1. Define earthquakes.
2. Explain two causes of earthquake.
3. List three features of earthquakes.
4. Describe how earthquakes are measured.
Content:
Earthquakes
An earthquake is a sudden vibration in the Earth's crust that causes shaking at the surface.
Earthquakes result from a slow build-up of pressure along plate boundaries. They are highly
unpredictable and often occur suddenly without warning. As yet, we have no way of fully and
accurately predicting when an earthquake will occur. Earthquakes are common events on the
Earth, with around 50,000 occurring every year around the globe. Most earthquakes will
occur at transform, destructive, collisional and constructive plate margins.
Features of an Earthquake
Focus/Hypocentre is the point below the earth’s surface where the pressure is released.
Epicentre is the point directly above the focus on the surface. The epicentre usually
experiences the greatest shock or seismic waves. This is the part where the effects of the
earthquake are the worst.
Magnitude is the energy released by an earthquake. This is measured on the 10-Point Richter
Scale.
A large earthquake can be preceded by small tremors known as foreshocks and followed by
numerous aftershocks. Earthquakes may last less than a minute, but aftershocks can continue
for several weeks afterwards.The main earthquake may last less than a minute but aftershocks
can continue for several weeks afterwards.
Diagram showing the features of an earthquake.
The Distribution of Earthquakes
Most earthquakes will happen along any type of plate boundary. Violent earthquakes usually
occur at transform plate boundary.
There is an "earthquake belt" around the world where plate activity gives rise to earthquakes.
Causes of Earthquakes
Earthquakes can happen along any type of plate boundary but the most violent ones occur at a
transform boundary. Earthquakes occur when tension is released from inside the crust. Plates
do not always move smoothly alongside each other and sometimes get stuck. When this
happens, pressure builds up. When this pressure is eventually released, an earthquake tends to
occur.
Faulting deep below the surface can cause earthquakes which in turn can cause rocks above
to fracture along a line known as a fault.
How earthquakes are measured?
Earthquakes can be measured using 2 scales -the Richter scale or the Mercalli scale. The
Mercalli scale measures the effects of the earthquake and runs from 1 to 12. The higher up
the scale the more damage is experienced by people and building structures. The Richter
scale is different in that it measures the energy of an earthquake. The scale is logarithmic,
which means that for every jump up the scale you get a tenfold increase in power of an
earthquake. Therefore, a magnitude 6 is 10 times more powerful than a magnitude 5, and 100
times more powerful than a magnitude 4. The higher the magnitude of an earthquake the less
frequent it’s occurrence. The largest ever recorded was in Valvidia in Chile in 1960 and
recorded 9.5 on the scale.
