WebQuest:

“What If New York

Had An Earthquake?”

 

By Leslie Jones

IS 162

                                                                       

 

                                                                       

 

Introduction

You awake in the darkness, unsure about what has disturbed you.  Strangely, the clock on your nightstand begins to rattle about, as if it has a will of its own.  You become aware of a strange roaring sound outside. The rattling sound grows and strengthens.  Suddenly, the earth moves, bucking like a wild animal.  Your room heaves; glasses crash in the kitchen; pictures fall from the walls.

 

What is it?  What could make the normally stable earth move like this?   Throughout history there have been attempts to explain earthquakes, from a disturbance created by growling demons that live beneath the earth to the movements of the giant tortoise who carries the world on his back.  Over time, other ideas were offered: perhaps these shakings were the result of great subterranean explosions, or the collapse of huge underground caverns.  While all of these explanations had an element of plausibility, none seemed to explain the strange distribution on earthquakes around the world.  Some regions such as California and Japan had far more earthquakes while some areas none.

What are the possibilities of New York having an earthquake? Can our building withstand the impact?  What policies are in place for New York in the event of an earthquake disaster?

 

Task

Recently, geologists have been receiving readings indicating some earthquake activity around the New York area.

You are a team of geologists seeking information on current building codes, preparedness, and policies in place for New York, in the event there is an earthquake.  Your mission will be to develop an informational brochure for New Yorkers’ on potential earthquake sites; building code requirements for structures, preparedness, and current policy on damage/crowd control.

 

Your assignment should you choose to accept it is as follows:

 

*You will have to research the cause of at least one earthquake in California and one in Japan.

*What are the reasons why earthquakes happen in one region than another?

*What instrument is used to measure earthquake damage?

*What are the chances of an earthquake happening in New York?

*What conditions would New York need for an earthquake to happen?

*Name at least 2 current policies on earthquake for New York?

*How were these policy created?

*Are there any active organizations that are opposed to these policies?

 

 

Process

In order to get your team ready for this mission, you will all need to have completed your prior group project on plate tectonics, fault line, volcanoes, and earthquakes.  Each of the students will receive an individual grade for their roles in the group as well as a group grade for the finished project

 

You will be in a group to perform the task for the project.  Each person will have a role to play in the group.  The 4 roles are: 1 Geologist, 1 Seismologist, and 2 Pathfinders. Each group member will search the Internet for information on the topic.  

The success of your mission is important to the citizens of New York.

 

Resources

 

http://www.northernlight.com/nlquery.fcg?qr=earthquake+policies&dr=14&dx=1006&rv=2

 

http://www.lightspan.com/common/pages/linkOut5.asp?_prod=LS&loc=quake.wr.usgs.gov

 

http://www.lightspan.com/common/pages/linkOut5.asp?_prod=LS&loc=www.geo.ed.ac.uk%2Fquakes%2Fschools.html

 

http://www-socal.wr.usgs.gov/ABC/index.html

 

http://www.eqe.com/publications/homeprep/

 

http://www.fema.gov/fema/publicat.htm

 

http://www.fema.gov/kids/ready.htm

 

http://www.fema.gov/kids/ready.htm

 

http://www.aci-int.net/seminars/3182000.htm

 

http://www.culturalcenter.org/news/shbc.html

 

http://www.dos.state.ny.us/code/codesfaq.html E-mail your questions on building code

 

http://www.dos.state.ny.us/code/codesfaq.html E-mail your Senator on current policies

 

http://www.dos.state.ny.us/code/codesfaq.html

 

http://mceer.buffalo.edu/infoService/faqs/eqlist.html

 

http://pbisotopes.ess.sunysb.edu/geo201/NYearthquake.htm

 

http://wwwneic.cr.usgs.gov/neis/states/new_york/new_york.html

 

http://explorezone.com/archives/00_03/22_ny_faults.htm

 

http://www.nycem.org/default.asp

 

http://quake.wr.usgs.gov/QUAKES/CURRENT/neweng.html

 

Evaluation

 

Collaboration Rubric


Name __________________________________

 

Beginning
1

Developing
2

Accomplished
3

Exemplary
4

Score

Contribute

 

 

 

 

 

Research & Gather Information

Does not collect any information that relates to the topic.

Collects very little information--some relates to the topic.

Collects some basic information--most relates to the topic.

Collects a great deal of information--all relates to the topic.

 

Share Information

Does not relay any information to teammates.

Relays very little information--some relates to the topic.

Relays some basic information--most relates to the topic.

Relays a great deal of information--all relates to the topic.

 

Be Punctual

Does not hand in any assignments.

Hands in most assignments late.

Hands in most assignments on time.

Hands in all assignments on time.

 

Take Responsibility

 

 

 

 

 

Fulfill Team Role's Duties

Does not perform any duties of assigned team role.

Performs very little duties.

Performs nearly all duties.

Performs all duties of assigned team role.

 

Participate in Science Conference

Does not speak during the science conference.

Either gives too little information or information that is irrelevant to topic.

Offers some information--most is relevant.

Offers a fair amount of important information--all is relevant.

 

Share Equally

Always relies on others to do the work.

Rarely does the assigned work--often needs reminding.

Usually does the assigned work--rarely needs reminding.

Always does the assigned work without having to be reminded.

 

Value Others' Viewpoints

 

 

 

 

 

Listen to Other Teammates

Is always talking--never allows anyone else to speak.

Usually doing most of the talking--rarely allows others to speak.

Listens, but sometimes talks too much.

Listens and speaks a fair amount.

 

Cooperate with Teammates

Usually argues with teammates.

Sometimes argues.

Rarely argues.

Never argues with teammates.

 

Make Fair Decisions

Usually wants to have things their way.

Often sides with friends instead of considering all views.

Usually considers all views.

Always helps team to reach a fair decision.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

Conclusion

 

The threat of an earthquake happening in New York is an environmental and social problem that affects millions in our city.  The brochure you have designed for New Yorkers’ has been beneficial in saving lives.  You have successfully completed your mission and this webquest will self-destruct now. 

 

 

 

Standards

 

Scientific Thinking

S5c    *Uses evidence from reliable sources to develop descriptions, explanation, and models.   

S5f    *Works individually and in teams to collect and share information and ideas.

 

Scientific Communication

S7e    *Communicates in a form suited to the purpose and the audience.

 

Reading

E1c    *Read and comprehend informational materials.

Writing

E2a    *Produce a report.