ScienceVolcanoes & EarthquakesAges 9–11
Measuring Earthquake Strength
Know that scientists measure earthquakes using seismometers, that earthquakes release energy that travels as waves through the ground, and that a magnitude scale describes their strength
Learning resources
Reviewed external links that reinforce this concept. They do not replace Gakuva’s teaching approach.
No reviewed resources for this concept yet.
The teaching approach above still stands. Curated practice links will appear here as the shelf fills.
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This concept
Measuring Earthquake StrengthConceptual concept
Check understanding
- Explain that a seismometer is an instrument that detects and records ground shaking
- Describe earthquake energy as waves that travel outward from where rocks broke
- Interpret a magnitude number as a measure of an earthquake's strength
“If your child heard a news report about a magnitude 6 earthquake, could they explain what a seismometer is, that earthquakes send waves through the ground, and that higher numbers mean stronger quakes?”
Curriculum record
- Type
- Conceptual
- Subject
- Science
- Domain
- Volcanoes & Earthquakes
- Age range
- Ages 9–11