Shake, Rattle and Roll!

Earthquakes  in Literature

  
 

Every event, whether real or imaginary must occur at a particular time and place. This setting directly affects the actions of the characters. Natural disasters are no exception. The events often propel ordinary people to roles of prominence.  Long dormant Character traits appear.


http://www-ed.fnal.gov/lincon/w01/projects/earthquakes/earthquake%20photo4.jpg
   

Before exploring earthquakes in literature, we need to know more about earthquakes. First take the Pretest, then working in groups of 2 or 3, answer the following questions. (Remember to document your sources.)

  • What is an earthquake and what causes them?

  • How are earthquakes detected?

  • Explain how earthquakes are measured and what is the Richter scale.

  • 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?

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  • Can a house, bridge or skyscraper be built that is 100% earthquake resistant?

  • What types earthquake  research is being done by engineers and scientists.

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/eye/earthquakes/earthquakes.html

An apartment building in San Francisco’s Marina District shows heavy damage from a 1989 earthquake.

   

Magnitude is a measure of the amount of energy released during an earthquake. It may be expressed using the Richter scale. To calculate magnitude, the amplitude of waves on a seismogram is measured, correcting for the distance between the recording instrument and the earthquake epicenter. Since magnitude is representative of the earthquake itself, there is thus only one magnitude per earthquake.

Earthquake Severity
   
Richter
Magnitudes		 Earthquake Effects
 
12 Total destruction; objects are thrown into the air, much heaving, shaking and distortion of the ground.
11 Few buildings remain standing; bridges and railways destroyed;   water, gas, electricity and  telephones out of action.
10 Ground badly cracked and many    buildings are destroyed. There are some landslides.
9 Rare great earthquake, major damage over a large region over 1000 km (Chile 1960, Alaska 1964, and west coast of British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, 1700).
8 Great" earthquake, great destruction, loss of life over several 100 km (1906 San Francisco, 1949 Queen Charlotte Islands) .
7 Major" earthquake, causes serious damage up to ~100 km (recent Taiwan, Turkey, Kobe, Japan, and California earthquakes).
6 Damage to poorly constructed buildings and other structures within 10's km  Trees sway, some damage from  overturning and falling objects.
5 Sleepers awakened and bells ring.
4 Felt by people walking; rocking  of free standing objects.
3 Resembling vibrations caused by heavy traffic.
2 Noticed only by sensitive people
1 Recorded on local seismographs, but generally not felt

Earthquakes - State by State

First Person Accounts

http://www.multicians.org/thvv/earthquake.html

http://www.winwaed.com/sci/daly/daly_accounts.shtml
 
http://apsn.awcable.com/descript.htm

http://www.sfmuseum.org/1906/ew.html 

Earthquake Pictures
 

  Becoming an Engineer!
 
   

Video Clips

The following clips are available at www.unitedstreaming.com. It is a subscription site, however.
 
The Fukui, Japan  Earthquake of 1948 1985 Mexico City Earthquake
Predicting Earthquakes A Look at Earthquakes
April, 1906 San Francisco Earthquake Constructing Structures to Withstand Earthquakes
Seismology and the Science of Earthquakes
   

The Novels

  • Earthquake at Dawn (Kristiana Gregory)

  • Earthquake Terror (Peg Kehret)

  • If You Lived at the Time of the Great San Francisco Earthquake (Ellen Levine)

  • Dragonwings (Laurence Yep)

  • Earthquake in the Early Morning (Mary Pope Osborne)
   

Activities
The Post-Test  
   
Now you are ready to write a short story. Go to http://www.literacyrules.com/storystarter.htm and click the button to get  random story elements. Remember you must  add an earthquake to the setting.
 
Which earthquake study career interests you the most? Imagine that it is 30 years from now. You have just made a earth-shattering (no pun intended) discovery. Write an article that will appear on the front page of your local newspaper. The article should include at least one direct quote from you, using technology terms.........
   

Class Project

As a class we will write a screenplay. The setting of the play (movie) must include an earthquake. The play should include engineers and seismologists. The other characters and story elements will be your choice. Interviews will real engineers (GK12 Fellows) might lend an air of authenticity to the production.