Exploring Earthquakes

Free to teach as-is โ€” the teacher guide, student handout, and slides are included.

Free โ€” we'll email you an access link. Google Docs format.

Objective

I can describe the causes and effects of earthquakes.

Part 1 of 4

Warm-up video

NOVA PBS Official ยท 5:17Vetted channel

We don't generate video โ€” this one is by NOVA PBS Official on YouTube. The practice questions and exit ticket below were drafted by AI for this objective, and every question is editable in the teacher guide.

Part 2 of 4

Key concepts

3 concepts

  1. 1

    The Cascadia Subduction Zone is a major fault line that spans from Vancouver Island to Northern California and is expected to have massive earthquakes every 500 years or so.

  2. 2

    When the Cascadia Subduction Zone fault ruptures, it causes the water above it to rise and flow out in all directions, creating a tsunami.

  3. 3

    If the Cascadia earthquake were to strike today, the coastline could suddenly sink by up to six feet, which would raise the sea level and increase coastal flooding risks.

Part 3 of 4

Practice

10 questions

1

What is a subduction zone?

2

The Cascadia Subduction Zone is located off the coast of which region?

Part 4 of 4

Exit ticket

Quick comprehension check

โ€œDescribe one cause of earthquakes in the Cascadia Subduction Zone and one potential effect of a major earthquake in that region.โ€

Sample answer included in the free materials

Get the materials

Teacher guide, student handout, and slides โ€” free, in Google Docs format

  • Teacher Guide

    Complete lesson plan with answer keys and alternate activities

  • Student Handout

    Printable worksheet

  • Slides

    Ready to present

We'll ask for your email to send your access link โ€” nothing else.

Teaching a group at a different level?

Where are your students right now? We'll rebuild this lesson to match โ€” including the teacher guide, student handout, and slides, saved to your Google Drive.

Adapt This Lesson