Earthquakes in Illinois?
Introduction
An earthquake is caused by a sudden movement of rock in the earth and this process occurs more than a million times each year worldwide. Most of the earthquakes that are produced each year are so weak that they would barely rattle a teacup while others cause great destruction and loss of life.
Task
In the winter of 1811-12, the central Mississippi Valley was struck by three of the most powerful earthquakes in U.S. history. Even today, this region has more earthquakes than any other part of the United States east of the Rocky Mountains. However many people in the central Mississippi Valley, which includes Illinois, are not aware that there is a threat of an earthquake in this area.
As an employee of the Safety Division of the Illinois Geological Survey, your boss, Mrs. Aftershock, has asked you to help write a informational brochure. The purpose of this brochure is to inform the public about the threat of earthquakes in the central Mississippi Valley with the hope of reducing the loss of life and property in future shocks.
In the informational brochure you will need to include the following information:
As an employee of the Safety Division of the Illinois Geological Survey, your boss, Mrs. Aftershock, has asked you to help write a informational brochure. The purpose of this brochure is to inform the public about the threat of earthquakes in the central Mississippi Valley with the hope of reducing the loss of life and property in future shocks.
In the informational brochure you will need to include the following information:
- What is an earthquake and what causes them?
- How are earthquakes detected?
- Explain how earthquakes are measured and what is the Richter scale.
- Have earthquakes occurred in the central part of the United States? Can an earthquake occur today?
- What is the New Madrid Fault System? Where is it located?
- When did the Great New Madrid Earthquakes occur? How severe were they?
- What should a person do in the event of an earthquake?
- How can a person prepare for earthquakes?
Process
- You will work alone on this WebQuest.
- Keep in mind that you will need to answer the key questions when writing the informational brochure.
- You will need to follow the instructions provided in class related the article, etc...
- You may include a couple of pictures to help illustrate your point.
Resources
The following is a list of Internet resources that can be used to complete this project. In addition to the Internet links below you can use any book or magazine in your classroom or library to help you gather information.
- For general information on earthquakes and geology start with:
Earthquakes
Earthquakes
Earthquakes for Kids & Grownups
Recent Global Events
Virtual Earthquake
Savage Earth: Restless Planet: Earthquakes
Richter magnitude scale - Use the following sites for specific information on the New Madrid Fault System and related information about earthquakes that have formed along this fault system:
CERI Fact Page
The Great New Madrid Earthquake
The Missississpi Valley Earthquakes of 1811 and 1812
The Mississippi Valley-"Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On"
The New Madrid Fault System
Recent Midwest Earthquake Locations
Illinois Earthquake Information
Evaluation
- Your project will be evaluated on the following criteria:
- Is your informational article clear and concise?
- Did you accurately include all the information requested?
- Are drawings and photographs clear and used appropriately for the subject?
- Did you accurately find the epicenter and determine the magnitude of an earthquake at Virtual Earthquake .
- Did you follow all instructions provided in class about how to write your article?