Describing waves - types of wave

4. Seismic waves

Required Resources

• Slides 16-22
• Video: British military footage of the relief effort after the 2005 Kashmir Earthquake
• Student Worksheets 4-5

Delivery

• This Episode might be best set as research homework or as a discussion exercise, with groups carefully selected to give a mix of abilities and inputs.
• Seismic waves that travel through the Earth are caused earthquakes or by large explosions. These shock waves travel through solid and liquid rock and are referred to as Primary Waves (longitudinal) and Secondary Waves (transverse). As well as helping scientists to establish the size and location of an earthquake or similar event, they permit investigation of the structure of the Earth. Slides 16-22 provide students with illustrated examples and information about the features of each wave type.
• Distribute Student Worksheet 3, which features a number of diagrams to aid student understanding, and a set of questions to test their knowledge at this point.
• Student Worksheet 4 gives students context for their learning about seismic waves. The video footage that supports this Episode shows footage of the British Armed Forces' involvement in the aid effort in Kashmir after the 2005 earthquake. Questions on Worksheet 5, link with Citizenship requirements and fulfil 'How Science Works' criteria, by asking students to apply their learning to a dramatic real life situation, involving seismic waves. You may like to chair a general debate on issues around aid to international disasters, posing questions. e.g. Why is Britain involved in delivering aid to other countries around the world? Why do people continue to live in areas that are known to be earthquake-prone?

Differentiation

Higher Ability:

Higher ability students should consider the reasons why populations settle in areas known to be at risk from earthquake. Invite comparison of San Francisco, Kobe (Japan) and Indonesia where populations have different motivations, living conditions, securities against risk and choice.