Summary
Daniel explains what causes earthquakes — tectonic plate movement along faults — how they're measured (Richter scale), and how engineers design earthquake-resistant structures. Includes the difference between epicenter and focus.
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All ages
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Teaching resources
Discussion questions
Discussion
Earthquakes happen when tectonic plates suddenly shift along faults.
- What are tectonic plates and why do they move?
- What is the difference between the epicenter and the focus of an earthquake?
- How can engineers design buildings to better withstand earthquakes?
Quick work-a-long
Vocabulary: earthquake, tectonic plate, fault, seismic waves, epicenter, focus, Richter scale, magnitude.
Try it: Stack 4 books like tectonic plates. Slowly push two toward each other until one slides over. Describe what you observe.