Natural hazards: Same forces, different impacts

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In this Xpeditions lesson, students explore the threats that natural disasters like tornadoes, volcanoes, and earthquakes pose for humans, then compare and contrast two disasters. Activities in this lesson engage students in whole class discussion, small group collaboration, development of research skills, online learning, creation of a final project for presentation.

Learning Objectives:

• compare data for natural disaster events (tornadoes, earthquakes, or volcanic eruptions);
• analyze data about the magnitude and impacts of natural disaster events; and
• assess the value of scientific research into the causes and impacts of natural events.

Xpeditions provides detailed directions for completing the lesson, suggestions for assessment and extension activities, guiding questions for research, and links to helpful web resources.

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

Science (2005)

Grade 6

• Goal 3: The learner will build an understanding of the geological cycles, forces, processes, and agents which shape the lithosphere.
  • Objective 3.01: Evaluate the forces that shape the lithosphere including:
    • Crustal plate movement.
    • Folding and faulting.
    • Deposition.
    • Volcanic Activity.
    • Earthquakes.

Grade 7

• Goal 3: The learner will conduct investigations and utilize appropriate technologies and information systems to build an understanding of the atmosphere.
  • Objective 3.05: Examine evidence that atmospheric properties can be studied to predict atmospheric conditions and weather hazards:
    • Humidity.
    • Temperature.
    • Wind speed and direction.
    • Air pressure.
    • Precipitation.
    • Tornados.
    • Hurricanes.
    • Floods.
    • Storms.
  • Objective 3.06: Assess the use of technology in studying atmospheric phenomena and weather hazards:
    • Satellites.
    • Weather maps.
    • Predicting.
    • Recording.
    • Communicating information about conditions.

Social Studies (2003)

Grade 6

• Goal 3: The learner will analyze the impact of interactions between humans and their physical environments in South America and Europe.
  • Objective 3.04: Describe how physical processes such as erosion, earthquakes, and volcanoes have resulted in physical patterns on the earth's surface and analyze their effects on human activities.

Grade 7

• Goal 3: The learner will analyze the impact of interactions between humans and their physical environments in Africa, Asia, and Australia.
  • Objective 3.04: Describe how physical processes such as erosion, earthquakes, and volcanoes have resulted in physical patterns on the earth's surface and analyze the effects on human activities.