13 Unit 3: Earthquakes, Volcanoes & Tsunamis
14 🌋 Unit 3: Earthquakes, Volcanoes & Tsunamis
Why do earthquakes, volcanoes, and tsunamis occur where they do — and can we predict them?
14.1 Anchor Phenomenon
On August 27, 1883, the volcanic island of Krakatoa in Indonesia exploded with the force of 10,000 atomic bombs. The sound was heard 4,800 km away in Australia. The eruption triggered tsunamis up to 30 meters high that killed over 36,000 people. Ash circled the globe, lowering world temperatures for years.
Why do massive volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and tsunamis happen? Why do they occur in certain places but not others? And is there anything we can do to protect ourselves?
14.2 Driving Question
Why do earthquakes, volcanoes, and tsunamis occur where they do — and how can humans prepare for and minimize the damage from these natural hazards?
14.3 Performance Expectations
HS-ESS1-5 HS-ESS2-1 HS-ESS2-3 HS-ESS3-1
| Standard | Description |
|---|---|
| HS-ESS1-5 | Evaluate evidence of the past and current movements of continental and oceanic crust |
| HS-ESS2-1 | Develop a model to illustrate how Earth’s internal and surface processes operate at different spatial and temporal scales to form features and features |
| HS-ESS2-3 | Develop a model based on evidence of Earth’s interior to describe cycling of matter by convection |
| HS-ESS3-1 | Construct an explanation based on evidence for how natural hazards have shaped the development of human civilizations |
14.4 Lesson Sequence
| Chapter | Topic | Key Questions | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening | 🌋 The Krakatoa Enigma | Why do massive eruptions happen? Can we predict them? | 2 days |
| Chapter 1 | 🔬 Earth's Interior | How do we know what's inside Earth if we've never been there? | 7-8 days |
| Chapter 2 | 🗺️ Surface Features & Plate Boundaries | Why do earthquakes and volcanoes form patterns on a map? | 7-8 days |
| Chapter 3 | ⚡ Energy & Matter in Earth's Interior | What drives plate movement? Where does the heat come from? | 7-8 days |
| Closing | 🏗️ Hazard Risk Assessment | How can we minimize the damage from natural hazards? | 2 days |
14.5 Learning Objectives
By the end of this unit, you will be able to:
- Explain how we know about Earth’s interior structure using seismic wave evidence
- Describe how density differences created Earth’s layered structure
- Identify plate boundary types and explain the geological features at each
- Model how convection in the mantle drives plate tectonics
- Evaluate evidence for continental drift and seafloor spreading
- Construct explanations for why natural hazards occur where they do
- Develop a risk assessment and mitigation plan for a real location
- Argue whether a location’s natural hazard risk outweighs its resource benefits