7.2 Eastern Turkey Earthquake
Submitted by PAESTA on Tue, 10/25/2011 - 2:04pm
A magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck 12 miles northeast of the city of Van in eastern Turkey on Sunday, October 23, 2011. The earthquake occurred at a depth of 12.4 miles and caused strong shaking throughout a broad area, causing significant damage to Van and neighboring towns.
IRIS – Teachable Moment Presentation, Animations and Visualizations
- IRIS Recent Earthquake Teachable Moment (including MS PowerPoint presentation)
Articles to Share with Students
- BBC News: Turkey Earthquake: Survivors Outdoors on Freezing Night
- NPR AUDIO: Powerful Earthquake Strikes Eastern Turkey
General Information
- USGS Magnitude-7.2 Earthquake in Eastern Turkey
- Earthquakes – New York Times Science Topics
- USGS Did You Feel It? Community Internet Intensity Map
- Poster of the Eastern Turkey Earthquake of 23 October 2011 – Magnitude 7.2
Questions for Classroom Discussion
- What is an earthquake? Where are earthquakes most common?
- Describe the difference between the magnitude (Richter Scale) and intensity (Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale) of an earthquake. Why are both of these scales important for learning about an earthquake event?
- How do scientists study earthquakes? Who else is involved in studying and reporting on earthquakes besides scientists?
- Where was the most recent earthquake in the United States? In the world? Which recent earthquake was the closest to you? (*use the website http://earthquake.usgs.gov/ to answer this question)
- Are earthquakes common or rare in Eastern Turkey? Explain why.
- Could an earthquake occur in Pennsylvania? Explain why/why not.
- Why do you think earthquakes are so difficult to predict?
- Should people be able to live in an area where earthquakes occur? Why/why not?
Big Ideas
From the Earth Science Literacy Principles Big Idea 1. Earth scientists use repeatable observations and testable ideas to understand and explain our planet. (1.2, 1.3, 1.4)
- Big Idea 3. Earth is a complex system of interacting rock, water, air, and life. (3.6, 3.7)
- Big Idea 4. Earth is continuously changing. (4.5)
- Big Idea 8. Natural hazards pose risks to humans. (8.1, 8.4, 8.6, 8.7, 8.8)
From The Big Ideas in Earth and Space Science (ESBD)
- The Geosphere (5)
- The Nature of Science (21, 22, 24)
Compiled October 24, 2011, by L.A. Guertin