Can you list two natural disasters?

Natural disasters include earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunamis, volcanoes and tornadoes.

What happens when a volcano erupts?

When a volcano erupts, a hot molten material called lava flows out of the earth! It flows down the volcano where it may destroy anything in its path such as buildings and trees.

This is anything that is capable of causing harm to a living thing (including humans).

What is the job of an engineer as it relates to natural disasters?

Engineers are people that solve problems with the help of math and science. For natural disasters, they design and construct buildings meant to protect people during a disaster. For example, they design buildings that can withstand an earthquake.

What is one way to describe a tsunami?

A tsunami is a very big wave that starts out in a body of water like an ocean. Eventually, the wave makes its way on shore, where it can cause harm to living things and anything in its path.

How are the formation of earthquakes and volcanoes similar?

Both earthquakes and volcanoes form along plate boundaries. An earthquake is caused by sudden movements in the plates that make up Earth’s crust. Also, at these areas where the plates meet is the ideal place for molten rock to flow the surface and form a volcano!

What are humans doing to help reduce the impact of natural disasters?

They are designing and constructing buildings that can withstand things like earthquakes. They are also testing the best types of materials that can be used to build houses near volcanoes.

Can you think of one constraint or factor that engineers must take into account when designing buildings in areas with a lot of earthquakes?

One important consideration is the height of the building. When a building is very tall and heavy it can crumble or topple over. A building that is closer to the ground can better withstand the shaking.

Why are tsunamis called underwater earthquakes?

These natural disasters begin far off in the ocean. They are big waves that occur when there is an abrupt movement on the ocean floor, usually caused by an underwater earthquake. This means tsunamis originate near plate boundaries.

Why would an engineer not choose material such as concrete when designing an earthquake proof building?

Some building materials are able to resist the shaking of earthquakes due to their properties. Concrete is not the best material to use because it can crack as Earth shakes during an earthquake. This type of cracking can weaken structures, which can be dangerous to living things.

Natural Disasters

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Natural Disasters

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What you will learn from this videoWhat you will learn

Earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanoes are a result of natural processes.
Earthquakes and volcanoes occur in patterns on Earth’s surface.
They are mainly found along the boundaries between oceans and continents.
Humans cannot eliminate these hazards, but we can take steps to reduce their impact.

Discussion Questions
- Before Video
  Can you list two natural disasters?ANSWER
  - Natural disasters include earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunamis, volcanoes and tornadoes.
  What happens when a volcano erupts?ANSWER
  - When a volcano erupts, a hot molten material called lava flows out of the earth! It flows down the volcano where it may destroy anything in its path such as buildings and trees.
  What is a hazard?ANSWER
  - This is anything that is capable of causing harm to a living thing (including humans).
  What is the job of an engineer as it relates to natural disasters?ANSWER
  - Engineers are people that solve problems with the help of math and science. For natural disasters, they design and construct buildings meant to protect people during a disaster. For example, they design buildings that can withstand an earthquake.
  What is one way to describe a tsunami?ANSWER
  - A tsunami is a very big wave that starts out in a body of water like an ocean. Eventually, the wave makes its way on shore, where it can cause harm to living things and anything in its path.
- After Video
  How are the formation of earthquakes and volcanoes similar?ANSWER
  - Both earthquakes and volcanoes form along plate boundaries. An earthquake is caused by sudden movements in the plates that make up Earth’s crust. Also, at these areas where the plates meet is the ideal place for molten rock to flow the surface and form a volcano!
  What are humans doing to help reduce the impact of natural disasters?ANSWER
  - They are designing and constructing buildings that can withstand things like earthquakes. They are also testing the best types of materials that can be used to build houses near volcanoes.
  Can you think of one constraint or factor that engineers must take into account when designing buildings in areas with a lot of earthquakes? ANSWER
  - One important consideration is the height of the building. When a building is very tall and heavy it can crumble or topple over. A building that is closer to the ground can better withstand the shaking.
  Why are tsunamis called underwater earthquakes? ANSWER
  - These natural disasters begin far off in the ocean. They are big waves that occur when there is an abrupt movement on the ocean floor, usually caused by an underwater earthquake. This means tsunamis originate near plate boundaries.
  Why would an engineer not choose material such as concrete when designing an earthquake proof building?ANSWER
  - Some building materials are able to resist the shaking of earthquakes due to their properties. Concrete is not the best material to use because it can crack as Earth shakes during an earthquake. This type of cracking can weaken structures, which can be dangerous to living things.
Vocabulary
- Seismograph DEFINE
- Earthquake DEFINE
- Natural Disasters DEFINE
- Tsunami DEFINE
- Volcano DEFINE
- Magma DEFINE
- Earth's Plates DEFINE
- Earth's Crust DEFINE
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