√√√√√japan earthquake and tsunami worksheets by James Lara

Name _____________________________

RUSSIA Hokkaido

N. KOREA

EARTHQUAKES • 9

CHINA

Earthquake in Japan, March 11, 2011

Earthquakes

Earthquake Epicenter

JAPAN

NORTH AMERICA

ASIA

S. KOREA JAPAN

Shikoku

Honshu

PACIFIC OCEAN

Hawaii

Kyushu

JAPAN—A massive 8.9 magnitude earthquake shook Japan at 2:46 P.M. local time on March 11, 2011. It was the most powerful earthquake to strike Japan in at least one hundred years and the fifthlargest ever recorded in the world. The earthquake sent large walls of water sweeping across coastal areas, destroying houses, buildings, and vehicles. News reports on television showed fires burning in the northern city of Sendai. Thousands of people were unable to return to their homes and many were feared dead. The earthquake caused power outages and transportation problems throughout Japan. It also damaged factories and oil © Learning A–Z All rights reserved.

AUSTRALIA

refineries. Authorities had to evacuate an area around a nuclear power plant after its cooling system lost power. Additional tsunami warnings were issued for at least fifty other countries and territories, including the United States and Canada. Coastal areas in Hawaii and other Pacific islands were evacuated as a precaution. Although earthquakes are a frequent part of life in Japan, this one was much more powerful and destructive than most. The epicenter of the quake was an area 231 miles (373 km) northeast of Tokyo and 15.2 mi (24.4 km) deep. Many aftershocks followed the original quake, including several that were stronger than 6.0.

EARTHQUAKE IN JAPAN

PACIFIC OCEAN

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EARTHQUAKES • 10

Earthquakes

A seismograph

The Richter Scale Effects

People cannot feel the earthquake—only sensitive instruments can detect it.

People usually do not feel it; some people in tall buildings may sense a slight swaying.

Many people near the origin of the earthquake notice the shaking. No damage occurs.

People at the origin of the quake definitely feel it. Hanging objects sway. Water sloshes in swimming pools. Some weak buildings may be damaged.

Felt over a wider area. Usually lots of damage to weak buildings at and around center. Some damage to strong buildings.

Lots of damage to weak buildings; some damage to strong buildings. Damage can spread over 160 kilometers (100 mi.).

A very major earthquake. Most buildings at the center are destroyed. Cracks form in Earth’s crust. Underground pipes break. Large landslides can occur.

Buildings and bridges destroyed. Large cracks appear in the ground. Large landslides.

The ground appears to move in “waves.” Entire rivers may move. Objects can be thrown into the air. Total destruction of buildings and other structures.

There is no top to the Richter scale, but the strongest earthquake ever recorded was a 9.5.

SKILL: CHARTS AND GRAPHS

Magnitude

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Earthquake Glossary aftershock (n.)

a small earthquake that happens after the main earthquake

crust (n.)

the thin, outermost layer of Earth

damage (n.)

physical harm to people and/or objects, such as broken windows or roads, or even buildings that fall apart

drop-and-cover drill (n.)

EARTHQUAKES • 11

Earthquakes

a plan that is practiced by dropping to the ground and getting under something strong that will cover you in case an earthquake happens

earthquake (n.)

the shaking of Earth’s crust caused by vibrations underground

electricity (n.)

energy created by moving charged particles; can be dangerous during earthquakes and should be turned off

epicenter (n.)

the point on the surface directly above where vibrations are centered in an earthquake

faults (n.)

cracks in Earth’s crust that are usually found around the edges of Earth’s plates

fire (n.)

the flame when something is burned; can happen in earthquakes because of chemical spills, gas leaks, and electrical breaks

foreshock (n.)

a small earthquake that happens before the main earthquake

geology (n.)

the study of rock, soil, and minerals

geologist (n.)

someone who studies the origin, physical nature, structure, and history of rock, soil, and

gas leak (n.)

holes or cracks that allow gas to escape; can kill people and cause fires during earthquakes

intensity (n.)

a description of the strength of an earthquake and the shaking it causes

landslide (n.)

the collapse and falling down of soil and rock along the surface of a hill or mountainside

mountain (n.)

a high and often rocky area of land with steep or sloping sides; often created when earthquakes cause one of Earth’s plates to push up the land of a connecting plate

magnitude (n.)

a number that measures the energy of an earthquake

magma (n.)

hot, liquid rock from deep within Earth

noise (n.)

a sound, or combination of sounds that are often not pleasant to hear

ocean earthquakes (n.)

earthquakes that happen in the ocean on Earth’s crust underwater

plates (n.)

the giant pieces of Earth’s crust that move and cause earthquakes where they meet each other

prepared (v.)

to have made something or gotten it ready

GLOSSARY OF EARTHQUAKE TERMS, PART ONE

minerals

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Richter scale (n.)

a scale from 1 to 10 for measuring the strength of an earthquake with 1 being the weakest and 10 being the strongest

seismograph (n.)

a device that makes electrical signals when the ground moves; detects earthquakes and measures and records their magnitude

safety plan (n.)

a plan that helps keep people safe and calm in an emergency, such as an earthquake

thrust fault (n.)

a fault where plates in Earth’s crust move in a way that makes mountains

tsunami (n.)

a destructive ocean wave caused by an underwater earthquake, landslide, or volcanic eruption

vibrations (n.)

the process of moving back and forth very rapidly

volcano (n.)

a vent or fissure in Earth’s crust that forms when melted rock from deep underground is

EARTHQUAKES • 12

Earthquake Glossary, continued

Earthquakes

expelled wave (n.)

the transfer of energy as it moves away from a source; causes ground to shift in earthquakes

water (n.)

the liquid essential for all life on Earth; must be boiled before drinking if water pipes affected during earthquake a crack in a wall shaped like an X that could make the wall fall down in an earthquake

GLOSSARY OF EARTHQUAKE TERMS, PART TWO

X-shaped crack (n.)

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How Tsunamis Work

Tsunamis are sometimes called “tidal waves” because they rush in like a high tide, but in truth they have nothing to do with tides. Earthquakes and volcanoes under or near the ocean usually cause tsunamis. Tsunamis are also different from normal surface waves caused by wind. Surface waves tend to roll onto shore in a circular motion. Low-lying coastlines in areas where earthquakes are common are most at risk for tsunamis.

EARTHQUAKES • 13

Earthquakes

How Normal Surface Waves Hit Shore Surface waves roll onto shore fairly close together. As waves approach shallower water, the lower part of the wave drags on the ocean floor, slowing it down. The upper part of the wave pours onto land.

In the open ocean, tsunamis may not be very high above the surface of the water, but they are very deep. As tsunamis approach land and move into shallow water, the elevated ocean floor pushes the wave upward. By the time a tsunami reaches land, it is tall enough to destroy almost anything in its path.

Wave height can be 10 to 100 feet Tsunami near shore

Shore

Tsunami in open ocean with most of the wave below the surface

HOW TSUNAMIS WORK

How a Tsunami Hits Shore

Fast Fact A tsunami can move as fast as a jet plane at speeds of 200-500 miles per hour (321-643 kph). They can travel from one side of the Pacific Ocean to the other in less than a day.