The threat of lethal tsunami waves from the recent 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Chile forced more than 1.5 million people to higher ground in countries on the other side of the Pacific Ocean, but in the end, small waves left only minor damage.
The threat of destructive waves was taken seriously where memories of the deadly December 2004 tsunami in the neighboring Indian Ocean remained raw. Nearly 230,000 people in 14 countries died from that tsunami. One of the reasons for the high death toll was a lack of an early warning system in that area; the Pacific Ocean area has a sophisticated early warning system centered in Hawaii.
The people living along the Chilean coast were not so lucky. A 10-foot-high tidal wave unleashed by the quake resulted in widespread devastation and death in numerous towns on the coast, such as Dichato and Concepcion. The tidal wave destroyed up to 75 percent of the buildings in these towns. Chilean authorities indicated that it was a tragic mistake not to immediately sound a tsunami warning after the earthquake struck.
BookCart Learning Activity
BookCart learning activities are a one-stop solution for teachers and students in conducting 21st Century inquiry-based learning activities. Great editor-selected resources, plus essential questions for critical thinking, plus student directions ensure that no time is wasted and students have everything they need to maximize learning.
ProQuest has created a BookCart learning activity for students: "Tsunamis and Tidal Waves." It's one of more than a hundred eLibrary model BookCarts that address Science topics/issues (listing) that teachers and librarians can copy into their local collection and use immediately. This is the procedure for copying and editing:
Click the BOOKCART ADMIN tab at the top of the Teacher Edition.
Click the PROQUEST CARTS tab.
Type "Tsunamis and Tidal Waves" in the SEARCH box
Click the COPY icon (middle one) in the ACTIONS column to the right of this title.
Click RETURN TO MY LOCAL CARTS.
Librarians or teachers can edit this BookCart to customize it for their students. To edit this BookCart:
Click the new BookCart TITLE with the prefix "COPY OF".
Delete "Copy of" and then type your name in the AUTHOR boxes and your initials in the EMAIL box (required filler info).
Option: Edit any ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS for your students in the DESCRIPTION box.
Option: Edit the existing STUDENT DIRECTIONS in the Description box.
Scroll down and click SAVE.
Click RETURN TO MY LOCAL CARTS and view your new student learning activity.
Traditional Search Learning Activity
Assign students to write a report of at least 150 words or a presentation of seven slides that cites at least three resources. Students should address the following essential questions for critical thinking (you can add or substitute others):
What causes tsunamis and tidal waves and why are some more dangerous than others?
Where are they most likely to occur and why?
How can scientists predict and protect against them?
What kind of damage do these waves create and why?
Pathfinder
Click the Topics search tab > Science > Special Topics > Tsunamis/Tidal Waves
