Earthquakes in the newsRecently, there was an earthquake in

Sumatra in Indonesia (30th September 2009) and a tsunami near Samoa (29th

September 2009).

World map goes here

Earthquake

• An earthquake is a violent shaking of the Earth’s surface

• Earthquakes are caused by tectonic plates rubbing against each other

• Earthquakes can be very powerful over quite small area

• There is hardly any time to warn people about earthquakes

Tsunami

• A tsunami is a large wave that can travel over long distances

• Tsunamis are caused by earthquakes at the bottom of the ocean

• Tsunamis are less powerful but affect a much bigger area

• There is sometimes enough time to warn people about tsunamis

Earthquakes in the news

With your partner, look closely at the photos (use your Geography Goggles™)

Answer these questions using FULL SENTENCES ...

a.Do you think it is the Indonesian Earthquake or the Samoan Tsunami? Why?

b.What effects can you see in the photo?c.What do you think caused this to happen?

How?

Earthquakes in the news

Indonesia

Indonesia

Samoa

Indonesia

Indonesia

Samoa

Samoa

Samoa

Indonesia

Samoa

Indonesia

Samoa

Were the two earthquakes

linked?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/newsnight/8285679.stm

And finally...Which event killed more people? Why?

What would you do it you heard a tsunami was coming?

How would you change your lifestyle if you lived in an earthquake zone?