2.5
RA T I ONA L E
City planners, developers, builders, and buyers need information about
soil and subsoil geology in order to choose sites and design structures
that will best withstand ground shaking and other earthquake hazards.
F OCU S QU E S T I ON S
What are the important geologic considerations when choosing a
building site and designing or reinforcing a building for earthquake
survivability?
Have these considerations been taken into account in the planning of
towns and cities?
OB J E C T I V E S
Students will:
1. Interpret soil- and earthquake-related geologic maps.
2. Apply these interpretations in choosing a building site and an
earthquake-resistant building design.
TEACHING CLUES AND CUES
3. Locate information about the soils and geology of their local
community and apply the same process to interpret it.
MA T E R I A L S
Sample maps are pro-
vided so students can do
this activity without any
special preparation.
Q
Student copies of Master 2.5a, Background Reading: Site
Characteristics
Q
Unit 1 Resource List
Q
Master 2.5b, Soil and Geologic Maps and Map Sources
Q
Student copies of Master 2.5c, Surface Map, Soil Map, Geologic
Map, and Hazard Map (4 pages)
Q
Transparencies made from Master 2.5c, Surface Map, Soil Map,
Geologic Map, and Hazard Map (4 pages)
Q
Overhead projector
Q
Local map prepared in Unit 1
However, the activity will be most
meaningful to students if they can
relate it to their own area. Master
2.5b, Soil and Geologic Maps and
Map Sources, suggests types of
maps that would be appropriate and
where to get them. The Unit 1
resource list suggests many other.
sources. if you have trouble locating
maps, call your county or state
geology office or the USDA Soil
Service and ask for help.
A G U
/
F E M A
129
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E I S M I C
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L E U T H S
