Earthquakes

Earthquakes are part of our reality in the PNW.

• World's Largest Earthquake Test (2:20) - Full Test (6:30)

• Seattle Fault (3:40)

Part 1: Guest Presenation

Dr. Ian Miller, Coastal Hazards Specialist, will present on earthquake and tsunami preparedness on the Olympic Peninsula.

Part 2: The Day the Earth Shook

Watch "The Day the Earth Shook." (55 min - consider watching over two days)

While you watch, complete the "Day the Earth Shook" sheet.

Part 3: Tsunami

A tsunami can result from the displacement of water. An underwater earthquake that involves the ground moving up or down can cause a tsunami.

Watch the Japan's Tsunami movie 2011 (2:00 to 38:00 minutes).

In your journal, answer the following True/False questions.

1. A tsunami is a series of waves (not just 1 wave).

2. Most people who were killed in the 2011 Tohoku earthquake in Japan died from the tsunami, not the earthquake (around 20,000 died).

3. The 2004 earthquake in Sumatra, Indonesia caused a tsunami that killed 230,000-280,000 people and had waves that were about 100 feet high that hit a village.

4. The Alaska earthquake of 1964 had a tsunami that killed people in Crescent City, California and the 1960 earthquake in Chile (South America) killed people in Hawaii.

5. If you are on the Washington outer coast you might have 10-20 minutes to get to higher ground after the earthquake, while in Port Angeles you might have around 20-30 minutes.

6. 10 meters = about 33 feet.

Earthquakes Extension: Local Earthquakes

Go through the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network local earthquake site. Either write three paragraphs reporting the most recent seismic activity in our region or plan and present a 3 minute presentation to class about this site and what you learned from it.