Can Earthquakes Be Predicted?
Summary
Promote inquiry-based learning centered on earthquake prediction. In class or lab, discuss elastic, brittle, and plastic rock behavior, the mechanics of fault rupture, friction, and plate motion, and earthquake prediction models. Have students develop, build, and test a mechanical model of stick-slip fault behavior based on topics they choose to investigate. Answer student's questions, but give them as little guidance as possible. Data can be analyzed statistically using graphs and spreadsheets before being interpreted for their real world significance.
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Learning Goals
- Promote science literacy.
- Increase understanding of fault behavior and earthquake prediction.
- Teach students to ask, find, or determine answers to questions derived from their own curiosity so they can design their own experiment and experience science as inquiry.
Context for Use
This activity is appropriate for secondary-school tachers and their students and undergraduate geoscience majors.
Description and Teaching Materials
- A wood slab
- A brick
- Sandpaper
- A bungee cord
- Non-stretchable rope
Teaching Notes and Tips
This activity can be modified to last from 50-90 minutes (one class session) to several weeks in duration.
Assessment
Students seem to learn more about earthquake prediciton and the scientific process if the activity is more open-ended and less structured, allowing them to develop and test their own hyphothesis.