Forecasting Natural Disasters: Earthquakes

Invite students to explore the cause and effect of earthquakes with this two-page environmental science worksheet! Designed for middle school learners, this worksheet begins with an explanation of what earthquakes are and where they are most likely to occur. Unlike other natural disasters, scientists cannot forecast when earthquakes will occur, but they can determine where they are most likely to happen. Using the text and a map of Earth's tectonic plates, learners will answer questions about the likeliest locations for earthquakes. Then, on page 2, young scientists will research the damage caused by each magnitude of earthquake, along with real-world examples, and explain how people can prepare for such an event.

To build students’ background knowledge, check out the Tectonic Plate Boundaries worksheet. Or to learn about predicting other types of natural disasters, check out the Forecasting Natural Disasters: Hurricanes worksheet next!