A shallow (close to the surface) earthquake of 7.6 magnitudes (strength of earthquake) occurs along a colliding plate boundary in the Pacific Ocean.
Should authorities immediately send tsunami warning signals to countries that touch the Pacific Ocean? Be sure to explain why you would or would not send the signal to those countries, using the scientific ideas we figured out about earthquakes and how tsunamis form.
**This is a CER**
Part 2: Who is at the most risk? Who should evacuate first?
When tsunami warnings are issued, they are sent to all the places that could be affected, even though some places are at higher risk than others. The map below shows the location of the earthquake and four places where the tsunami warning will be sent.
Required
0 points
0
Question 2
2.
Use the map and think about what we know about tsunamis and how they affect places along the coasts. You can take notes and write on this map to show your thinking.
Place A: This is a busy fishing community on the coast. It is flat and right on the water’s edge with lots of boats and businesses.
Place B: This is a large city near the ocean. Most homes and buildings are in the higher elevations of the hills nearby.
Place C: This is a popular tourist town with hotels on the flat beach and lots of people.
Required
1 point
1
Question 3
3.
Use the descriptions of each location and the map to rate which places are most at risk for damage to people and property by this tsunami.
Rank the places by their risk for damage to people and property.
(1 highest - 4 lowest)
Place A
Place B
Place C
Place A: This is a busy fishing community on the coast. It is flat and right on the water’s edge with lots of boats and businesses.
Place B: This is a large city near the ocean. Most homes and buildings are in the higher elevations of the hills nearby.
Place C: This is a popular tourist town with hotels on the flat beach and lots of people.
Required
1 point
1
Question 4
4.
Use the descriptions of each location and the map to rank which places will be impacted by this tsunami first.
Rank the places in order of who would be impacted first.
(1 first- 3 last)
Place A
Place B
Place C
Place B: This is a large city near the ocean. Most homes and buildings are in the higher elevations of the hills nearby.
Place A: This is a busy fishing community on the coast. It is flat and right on the water’s edge with lots of boats and businesses.
Place C This is a popular tourist town with hotels on the flat beach and lots of people.
Required
4 points
4
Question 5
5.
Based on your rankings in the table, which place do you predict would need to take action the fastest to protect people and property from this tsunami? Explain your choice, considering both the time to impact and the possible risk of damage.
**This is a CER**
Part 3: Protecting against another tsunami with limited resources
Required
4 points
4
Question 6
6.
Using what we understand about forecasting which types of places and communities are most at risk for damage from tsunamis, let’s think about the coast of Japan. The map below shows an area called Fudai. This is a hilly region, and the darker areas on the map mean there is a steep incline and higher elevation, while the lighter areas are lower elevations or flatter.
If Japan has limited resources for the next year to help keep people and property safe from tsunami damage, which part of the coast would you predict would be most at risk and prioritize sending resources to?
Circle that area on the map and then explain your reasoning. (scroll down to circle)