Earthquakes 6 th Grade Science Ms. Jennifer Ransom January 30, 2004

Let’s Learn About Earthquakes!

Earthquakes Definition Definition Causes Causes Interesting Facts Interesting Facts Devastating Examples from History Devastating Examples from History

What is an earthquake? Shaking of the ground Shaking of the ground Breaking and shifting of earth’s outer shell Breaking and shifting of earth’s outer shell Some of earth’s most powerful events Some of earth’s most powerful events Usually causes other natural disasters Usually causes other natural disasters McNally, Karen C.. "Earthquake." World Book Online Reference Center. Jan World Book, Inc. 27 Jan

Earthquakes often cause other natural disasters. Earthquakes often cause other natural disasters. Fires sometimes occur. Fires sometimes occur earthquake caused fire damage earthquake caused fire damage. Look at the blackened building. Look at the blackened building.

Causes of Earthquakes Plates shift in earth’s outer crust. Plates shift in earth’s outer crust. Stress occurs on rocks along faults. Stress occurs on rocks along faults. Excessive stress causes rocks to break. Excessive stress causes rocks to break. Rocks move into new positions. Rocks move into new positions. This causes the shaking of earthquakes. This causes the shaking of earthquakes.

Interesting Facts Earthquakes rarely kill people … Earthquakes rarely kill people … Building collapses do! Building collapses do!

Interesting Facts Even buildings left standing are dangerous. Even buildings left standing are dangerous. There is often structural damage. There is often structural damage.

Effects of Earthquakes People are often left homeless. People are often left homeless. They must find temporary housing. They must find temporary housing.

Effects of Earthquakes Food and water may be scarce. Food and water may be scarce. People wait in line for water. People wait in line for water. Bread lines are also long! Bread lines are also long! 1806 earthquake victims struggled to survive earthquake victims struggled to survive.

Effects of Earthquakes Looting often takes place. Looting often takes place. Chaos usually makes things worse. Chaos usually makes things worse. Police patrols are necessary. Police patrols are necessary.

Effects of Earthquakes Sometimes government must get involved! Sometimes government must get involved! Check out this proclamation in Check out this proclamation in This San Francisco earthquake was devastating! This San Francisco earthquake was devastating!

Devastating Examples from History Charleston’s famous earthquake Charleston’s famous earthquake Early morning earthquake on February 7, 1812 Early morning earthquake on February 7, 1812 It began at about 3:30 a.m. It began at about 3:30 a.m. Shaking continued for about 25 minutes. Shaking continued for about 25 minutes. Shaking caused severe structural damage. Shaking caused severe structural damage. Information courtesy of the following collection in the American Memory Collection of the Library of Congress: An American Time Capsule: Three Centuries of Broadsides and Other Printed Ephemera.

Devastating Examples from History San Francisco’s famous earthquake of 1906 San Francisco’s famous earthquake of 1906 Quake caused damage to some buildings. Quake caused damage to some buildings. Other buildings were undamaged. Other buildings were undamaged. Look at some scenes from Look at some scenes from 1906.

Devastating Examples from History Finally, look at other dangerous results. Finally, look at other dangerous results. First picture – exposed water pipes First picture – exposed water pipes Second picture – twisted streetcar tracks Second picture – twisted streetcar tracks

Earthquakes Respond to what you have learned. Respond to what you have learned. Write a one-half page response. Write a one-half page response. Discuss at least five things about earthquakes. Discuss at least five things about earthquakes. Include any or all of these: Include any or all of these: CausesCauses Effects on people or landEffects on people or land ExamplesExamples

Acknowledgements Pictures and most information provided courtesy of the American Memory Collection of the Library of Congress. Pictures and most information provided courtesy of the American Memory Collection of the Library of Congress. Earthquake definition and causes provided (as noted) by World Book Online. Earthquake definition and causes provided (as noted) by World Book Online.