Earthquake-Resistant Design · seed 1 · A4, ink-friendly. The answer key prints on its own page for grown-ups.

Building for Earthquakes and Tsunamis

Science · Volcanoes & Earthquakes · ages 9-11
Name ______________________   Date ____________

  1. Which pair of observations helps warning centres assess tsunami danger?

    • Wind speed offshore and the heights of wind-made waves
    • Earthquake shaking and changes in ocean water level
    • Daily tide patterns and the amount of rain at the coast

  2. Which feature uses special bearings beneath a building to reduce shaking passed into it?

    • Base isolators beneath its base
    • Flexible joints within its upper frame
    • Diagonal braces across its upper walls

  3. Communities use drills to practice earthquake protection and evacuation for tsunami or eruption danger.

    Circle one:   True   False

  4. A warning centre receives data about a large offshore earthquake. What should happen next in its warning process?

    • Assess tsunami danger and issue any needed warning
    • Wait for a coastal observer to see an approaching wave
    • Send the same warning to every coast after each quake

  5. Which frame design helps a building handle movement during earthquake shaking?

    • Joints that stay fixed until the frame cracks apart
    • A frame that bends more and more without any limit
    • A frame designed to bend a little without breaking

  6. In the official warning process shown, which step comes before the risk check?

    Data collectedRisk checkedAlert sentFollow local plan
    • Send a warning to coastal communities
    • Collect measurements from instruments
    • Practice the town's evacuation route

  7. An engineer says, "Base isolators guarantee this building will never suffer earthquake damage." Which reply fits the lesson?

    • They reduce shaking, but damage is still possible
    • They stop cracks, so only the windows can be damaged
    • They protect buildings equally on every kind of ground

  8. A town has working tsunami sirens, but residents have not learned evacuation routes. Which change addresses that gap?

    • A plan to wait at home until everyone hears the siren
    • A rule to use the nearest road without checking a map
    • Teaching and drills using local evacuation routes
LightMySky · lightmysky.comW1-mt_yDZbQODIwp-s1

Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

Building for Earthquakes and Tsunamis W1-mt_yDZbQODIwp-s1

  1. Earthquake shaking and changes in ocean water level · Warning centres use earthquake observations and measurements of water-level changes.
  2. Base isolators beneath its base · Base isolators use bearings beneath the building to reduce shaking transmitted into it.
  3. True · Drills help people practice the actions and routes suited to each hazard.
  4. Assess tsunami danger and issue any needed warning · The centre assesses the danger. Not every earthquake causes a tsunami.
  5. A frame designed to bend a little without breaking · Controlled bending can help a frame handle shaking without breaking.
  6. Collect measurements from instruments · The shown process collects data before checking the risk.
  7. They reduce shaking, but damage is still possible · Base isolation can reduce shaking transmitted into a building. It does not remove all damage risk.
  8. Teaching and drills using local evacuation routes · Sirens communicate danger. Route teaching and drills help people know how to respond.
Worksheet · LightMySky