S E I S M I C S L E U T H S
M A T R I C E S
F O R T H E N A T I O N A L S C I E N C E E D U C A T I O N S T A N D A R D S
UNIT 2: What HappensWhenTheEarthQuakes?An explorationof earthquake processes, including causes and
measurement.
SEISMIC
SLEUTHS
SECTIONS
SCIENCE
AS INQUIRY
PHYSICAL
SCIENCE
EARTH AND
SPACE
SCIENCE
SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY
SCIENCE IN
PERSONAL AND
SOCIAL
PERSPECTIVES
HISTORY AND
NATURE OF
SCIENCE
UNIFYING
CONCEPTS
AND
PROCESSES
2.1 Stick-Slip
Movement
Studentsmodel
movement
along a fault.
Abilities
related to
scientific
inquiry
Understanding
about
scientific
inquiry
Motions and
forces
(friction and
energy)
Energy in the
Earth system
(Dynamic
crust)
Natural hazards
Evidence,
models
, and
explanation
2.2 Shifting
Plates and
Wandering
Poles
A three-part
exploration
about how
scientists
determine if the
Earth’s crust is in
motion.
Abilities
related to
scientific
inquiry
Understanding
about scientific
inquiry
Properties
&
changes in
matter
(magnetism)
Motions
and
Forces
Structure of
the Earth
system
Energy in the
Earth system
Origin and
evolution of
the Earth
system
Understanding
about science
and
technology
Natural hazards
Nature of
scientific
knowledge
Evidence,
models
, and
explanation
2.3 Earthquake
in Geologic
Time
Students explore
long time
intervals and
usemodels to
study
earthquakes in
the past..
Abilities
related to
scientific
inquiry
Understanding
about scientific
inquiry
Motions and
forces
Earth’s
history
Origin and
evolution of
the Earth
system
Natural hazards
Historical
perspectives
Evidence,
models, and
explanation,
maps
2.4 Earthquake
Hazards
Students use
models,
research, and
mathematics to
study
earthquake
hazards.
Abilities
related to
scientific
inquiry
Understanding
about scientific
inquiry
Forces and
motion
(gravity,
waves, and
energy)
Interactions
of energy and
matter
Energy in the
Earth system
Natural hazards
Historical
perspectives
Evidence,
models, and
explanation
Change,
constancy,
and
measurement
2.5 Quake-Smart
Siting
Students
interpret soil and
earthquake
relatedmaps.
Abilities
related to
scientific
inquiry
Understanding
about scientific
inquiry
Structure of
the Earth
system
Abilities of
technological
design
Natural hazards
Evidence,
models, and
explanation,
maps
A G U
/
F E M A
x
S
E I S M I C
S
L E U T H S
