Knowing your risk, and what to do during an earthquake or related hazard, can prevent major harm and loss of life. The following exercises are aimed at making Alaskans aware and prepared.
Are You Prepared? (Alaska Earthquake Center website)
3rd grade to early college students, general public
Resources and fact sheets covering topics such as what to do during and after an earthquake, assessing your risk, preparing your home and family, what to do during a tsunami warning, and earthquake preparedness.
Know Your Tsunami Hazard in ... Community brochures (Alaska Earthquake Center website)
3rd grade to early college students, general public
Give students a view of the tsunami hazard and what it takes to plan evacuations in Alaska. The Earthquake Center partners with state and local officials to provide coastal communities with information to help them address tsunami hazards. These community-specific brochures contain information including possible tsunami inundation levels, pedestrian travel time, and maritime response guidance reports. The brochures include maps with community-designated safety information, as well as links for local and statewide tsunami preparedness information. There are brochures for more than 15 Alaska communities.
Alaska Earthquake Hazard Mitigation and Planning
6th grade to early college students, general public
This activity has students/learners identify hazards and vulnerabilities in a specific area in the event of a magnitude 7 or larger earthquake. Students/Learners will then write a summary of those vulnerabilities in their area and create an action plan to mitigate them.
Engaging with Earthquake Hazard and Risk
6th grade to 8th grade students
This introductory activity engages learners with the study of earthquake hazards and the risk these hazards pose to humans in the communities in which we live. Learners are introduced to geologic site effects (such as sediment type, saturation, and depth) that affect the intensity of shaking experienced at any given location during an earthquake. Learners will compare three maps of Anchorage, AK, depicting spatial information related to seismic hazards to generate questions about additional factors besides site effects that influence shaking intensity and damage to the built environment during earthquakes.
Be Smart, Be Prepared. Planning an Emergency Backpack
3rd grade to early college students, general public
This activity teaches students/learners what to do before, during, and after an earthquake and has them brainstorm and present a list of items that should be included in an emergency supply kit.
Geological Hazards and the Built Environment
6th grade to 12th grade students
This activity has students research built environments in their communities and the factors that relate to damage to those areas in the event of an earthquake. Additionally, they identify vulnerabilities and challenges and brainstorm possible solutions to those weaknesses.
Geological Hazard Community Action Plan (Capstone project)
6th to 12th grade students
This activity has students create an informative presentation displaying their knowledge of basic hazards and risk due to earthquakes. Additionally, students will identify a vulnerability, discuss potential damage impact, and craft a solution to present to an “agency” or “entity” that could provide aid.
Earthquake Hazard Maps and Liquefaction: Alaska Focus
3rd grade to early college students, general public
This activity has students use a physical model to understand how earthquake shaking and rock and soil variation can impact liquefaction and the extent of building damage.
Great Alaska ShakeOut
Pre-K to early college students, general public
This statewide earthquake safety drill usually occurs in October. Individual schools, businesses, or organizations can sign up to participate in this event. The website offers free preparedness flyers, safety materials, and more.