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e-Journal

Quake Predictors (pp. 280–281)


Step 1. Questions

People have been trying to understand and predict earthquakes for more than a thousand years. Over time, different earthquake monitoring devices have been invented, such as the seismometer, to track and predict plate movement.

Write a report about these inventions to measure and predict earthquakes. To do so, you will research different earthquake monitoring devices that have been introduced over the years. Here are some questions to guide your research:
  • What are earthquakes?
  • What are seismometers?
  • How did people measure earthquakes before seismometers were invented?
  • What is a global positioning system (GPS) and how does it track Earth's surface?
  • How can tracking movement of Earth's surface help to lessen damage from an earthquake?
Are you ready? Begin by visiting the Web sites listed in Step 2. Look for answers to the questions above. Write down what you learn in the note-taking boxes.

With teacher supervision, you may use search engines to find other Web sites. You also can research earthquake monitoring devices at the library. When you are ready, follow Steps 3 and 4 to write your report.



Step 2. Research

Research answers for the questions you were asked in Step 1. Visit these Web sites. Take notes about them on this page, too!


Toolbox Tip: Click here to learn how to copy information from a Web page into a new file.


Earthquakes for Kids
Explore this Web site to learn all about earthquakes and plate tectonics. Click THE SCIENCE OF EARTHQUAKES for great background information. Then go back and click COOL EARTHQUAKE FACTS and DID YOU FEEL IT? Read about some interesting earthquake facts and find out about some earthquakes that happened recently in your part of the country. This Web site is brought to you by the U.S. Geological Survey.
Take Notes:



The Early History of Earthquake Measurement
Learn all about the early history of earthquake measurement from the Seismological Society of America. To begin, click INTRODUCTION. Then, click the arrows at the bottom of each Web page to move forward or back through the article.
Take Notes:



Can Satellites Aid Earthquake Predictions?
Read this article from National Geographic to learn how satellite measurements could be used to predict earthquakes. Be sure to read both pages. Look for information about how predicting earthquakes can help save lives and limit damage.
Take Notes:



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