Seismic Sea

Standard III

Students will understand that gravity, density, and convection move Earth's plates and this movement causes the plates to impact other Earth Systems.

Objective 02

Describe the processes within Earth that result in plate motion and relate it to changes in other Earth Systems.

Indicator e

Predict the effects of plate movement on other Earth systems (e.g., volcanic eruptions affect weather, mountain building diverts waterways, uplift changes elevation that alters plant and animal diversity, upwelling from ocean vents results in changes in biomass).

Intended Learning Outcomes:

  1. Use Science Process and Thinking Skills
    1. Observe objects, events and patterns and record both qualitative and quantitative information.
    2. Evaluate, sort, and sequence data according to given criteria.
    3. Select and use appropriate technological instruments to collect and analyze data.
    4. Plan and conduct experiments in which students may:
      • Identify a problem.
      • Formulate research questions and hypotheses.
      • Predict results of investigations based upon prior data.
      • Identify variables and describe the relationships between them.
      • Plan procedures to control independent variables.
      • Collect data on the dependent variable(s).
      • Select the appropriate format (e.g., graph, chart, diagram) and use it to summarize the data obtained.
      • Analyze data, check it for accuracy and construct reasonable conclusions.
      • Prepare written and oral reports of investigations.
    5. Distinguish between factual statements and inferences.
    6. Construct models, simulations and metaphors to describe and explain natural phenomena.
    7. Use mathematics as a precise method for showing relationships.
    8. Form alternative hypotheses to explain a problem.
  2. Manifest Scientific Attitudes and Interests
    1. Voluntarily read and study books and other materials about science.
    2. Raise questions about objects, events and processes that can be answered through scientific investigation.
  3. Demonstrate Understanding of Science Concepts, Principles and Systems
    1. Know and explain science information specified for the subject being studied.
    2. Apply principles and concepts of science to explain various phenomena.
    3. Solve problems by applying science principles and procedures.
  4. Communicate Effectively Using Science Language and Reasoning
    1. Provide relevant data to support their inferences and conclusions.
    2. Use precise scientific language in oral and written communication.
    3. Use proper English in oral and written reports.
    4. Use reference sources to obtain information and cite the sources.
    5. Use mathematical language and reasoning to communicate information.
  5. Demonstrate Awareness of Social and Historical Aspects of Science
    1. Cite examples of how science affects human life.
    2. Give instances of how technological advances have influenced the progress of science and how science has influenced advances in technology
  6. Demonstrate Understanding of the Nature of Science
    1. Science is a way of knowing that is used by many people, not just scientists.
    2. Understand that science investigations use a variety of methods and do not always use the same set of procedures; understand that there is not just one "scientific method."
    3. Science findings are based upon evidence.
    4. Understand that scientific conclusions are based on the assumption that natural laws operate today as they did in the past and that they will continue to do so in the future.

Description of Activity:

TITLE - SEISMIC SEA

Overview
Students will discover causes, conditions, and factors which relate to seismic sea waves called tsunamis.

Duration of activity 30-60 min.

Materials:

  • Erosions tables or long plastic shoe boxes
  • Sand
  • Rocks
  • Pebbles
  • Wooden bar that fits the table crosswise
  • Water

Background Information:

Students should be able to measure amplitudes, and calculate the speed, period, and height of waves (Height = 2 x amplitude)

Teaching and Learning Strategies:

Ensure inquiry
Students will devise their own hypothesis about what factors affect the size of tsunamis by manipulating their models to obtain data. The end product will be a lab report which is described in the "Summary of Learning".

Prerequisite instructions
Before doing this activity, students should be familar with experimental design (e.g., manipulate only one variable at a time, what data to collect, etc.).

Invitation to Learn:

Problem: What are some physical properties that can influence the size of tsunamis?

Activity

  1. Students will work in groups of three to four to explore what strength of Earth movement would be needed to create a tsunami
  2. The students will and build a typical beach using sand in their erosion tables.
  3. At the deep end, they will insert the wooden bar crossways to the length of the table.
  4. They will move the bar back and forth, up and down, etc. to produce waves.
  5. They will explore and measure the following:
    1. Amount of movement of the bar verses the wave size (graph).
    2. How the topographical lay of the beach effects the size of the wave (description).
  6. The students should continue the experiment using various materials to build beaches and record their results using the same amount of "earthquake force" on the bar (movement-push).

Safe Operating procedures
Explain to the students the need for restraint with the water waves and the need to return the wet sand, rocks, and pebbles into various buckets at the end of the class period.

Extensions:

Collect data on tsunami damage around the world and through newspaper articles or topographical (satellite - NOAA) maps. Discuss the unique problems associated with harbors in these areas and how damage could be reduced in the future.

Summary of Learning:

Assessment
Students will generate lab reports consisting of:

  1. Hypothesis
  2. Description of the various designs tested
  3. Data table
  4. Interpretation of data (graph, description)
  5. Conclusions
  6. Recommendations to the public (what they could expect at their locations).

Multiple Choice questions

  1. As a tsunami approaches a shoreline it becomes:
    1. Higher
    2. The same
    3. Lower
  2. Man-made harbor designs could reduce the damage done by tsunamis. Some practical things that could be done are:
    1. Make the harbors shallower.
    2. Place sea walls outside the harbor.
    3. Move the buildings back.
    4. Place large rocks in the harbor.

SEISMIC SEA
STEPS IN THE EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN


NAME ______________________________

DATE _______________

PERIOD _______


POINTS


Problem Clearly Stated:








Hypothesis: (beach design)







Earthquake strength:
Data sheet





Graph





Beach Design:

Procedures used to test variables





List of the variables with each procedure





List of materials used with each procedure





Conclusion: (answers the problem)











Applications to real world:

How could harbors be redesigned?