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Investigating earthquakes – question bank

An inquiry approach is a method often used in science education. This question bank provides a list of questions about earthquakes and places where their answers can be found.

The questions are in three groups:

  • Earthquakes in general

  • Slow slips

  • Base

The article Investigating earthquakes – introduction has links to further resources and student activities.

Earthquakes in general

This question bank asks general questions about earthquakes.

Q. We can't see through solid rock, so where's the evidence for how earthquakes work?

  • Inside the Earth

  • Plate tectonics

  • Moulding the Earth

Q. Why does the earth shake so far away from where an earthquake starts?

  • Faults

Q. Can I see earthquake waves?

  • Seismic waves

Q. Who is talking about this?

  • Keith Machin

Q. What are New Zealand scientists doing about this?

  • The Alpine Fault

  • Squishy rocks and earthquakes

  • Seismic engineering at Canterbury University

Q. How long have we known about this?

  • Earthquakes – timeline

Slow slips

This question bank focuses on the form of earthquakes known as slow slips.

Q. How can slow slips help us understand earthquakes?

  • What are slow slips?

Q. Who is talking about this?

  • Dr Laura Wallace

Q. Where can we find out about this?

  • GNS Science Limited

Base isolation

A group of questions focuses on the technology of base isolation.

Q. How do I know which buildings are the safest?

  • Strengthening Parliament House

  • Seismic engineering

Q. How can base isolators be tested without being in an earthquake?

  • Base isolation and seismic dampers

Q. Who is talking about this?

  • Dr Bill Robinson

Q. Where can we find out about this?

  • Robinson Seismic Limited

Glossary

Published: 24 June 2008Updated: 28 October 2019
Referencing Hub articles

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