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. Character traits long dormant appear.

http://www-ed.fnal.gov/lincon/w01/projects/earthquakes/studenthook.htm

Before exploring earthquakes in literature, we need to 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?

What should a person do in the event of an earthquake?

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

What types earthquake research is being done by engineers and scientists? (Hint: NEES-grid, mini-MOST)

www.sfgate.com/.../ quakes/images/a012.gif
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

These and other film clips are available through www.unitedstreaming.com. It is a subscription service, though a 30-day trial is available.

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.........

In groups of now more than 3 people, create a presentation titled, "So you want to be a___ engineer Presentation". In preparing for this presentation, you might consider contacting universities, high schools as well as working engineers. Your presentation must included a PowerPoint presentation and handout.

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.

Teacher Information