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Ever wondered about the unseen forces shaping the Earth's crust?

Join us on a
captivating exploration as we unravel the mysteries of fault types. This journey is designed
to be both engaging and informative, offering you a unique insight into the dynamic
movements beneath the Earth's surface. Prepare to discover the science behind fault types
and gain a deeper understanding of the geological forces that shape our planet.
Embark on a fascinating journey into the Earth's geological forces with this exploration
into fault types. By the end of this inquiry lesson, you will not only comprehend the basics
of fault types but also achieve the following objectives:

1. Identify Fault Types:

 Recognize and differentiate between various fault types, including normal, reverse,
strike-slip, and thrust faults.

2. Understand Fault Movements:

 Explore the distinct movements associated with each fault type and their impact on
the Earth's crust.

3. Stress and Faults:

 Gain insights into the relationship between different types of stress and the
formation of specific fault types.

4. Real-world Applications:

 Discover how understanding fault types contributes to our knowledge of geological


phenomena and aids in mitigating natural hazards.

By the end of this exploration, you'll have a profound understanding of the geological
mechanisms at play in fault formations.
For you to acquire the competency and perform the given subtasks, you are going to
perform the activities on the following inquiry stages:

1. Engage Card: Geologic Launchpad


2. Explore Card: Countdown to Discovery
3. Explain Card: Decoding Earth's Script
4. Elaborate Card: Lessons from Faults and Earthquakes
5. Evaluate: Multiple-Choice Test
Geological Launchpad
Read the scenario and answer the questions that follow.

Imagine you live in a small town situated near a tectonic plate boundary. The town has
experienced occasional tremors, but recently, residents have noticed an increase in seismic
activity. The local authorities have become concerned about the possibility of a major
earthquake, and they've decided to seek expert advice to better understand the relationship
between faults and earthquakes.

Inquiry Questions

1. What geological features might indicate the existence of faults in the area?

2. Elaborate on the physical changes that occur at the atomic and molecular level as
stress builds up along a fault.

3. How do the rearrangements of atoms and molecules contribute to the propagation of


seismic waves?
Countdown to Discovery….

Objective:
The objective of this experiment is to demonstrate and understand the fundamental
concepts of fault activity and earthquakes within the Earth's crust through a hands-on
model. Participants will explore how stress accumulation along a fault line leads to fault
slippage and the release of energy, simulating the occurrence of earthquakes. By using
simple materials such as paper, cardboard, and soil, the experiment aims to illustrate key
geological principles in an accessible and engaging manner.

Science Concept:

1. Earthquake: Earthquakes happen because of a sudden movement in the Earth's


faults. The motion is releasing the remaining "dynamic strain" energy, a form of
seismic waves propagating across Earth and shaking the earth's surface.
2. Fault: Between two blocks of rock, a fault is the fracture or zone of fractures. The
fault allows blocks to move in relation to one another. This movement can take
place quickly, in the form of an earthquake, or slowly, in the form of a creeping
movement. Faults may range in length from a few millimeters to thousands of
kilometers.

Materials Needed:
Countdown to Discovery…
Earthquake and Fault Activity

Step 1.)Prepare paper on the table so that Step 2.)Prepare two card boards and place
the soil we will use in our activity does them on the paper and arrange the two card
not spread. boards well next to each other.

Step 4.)Move the two card boards in different


Step 3.)Take sand or soil and then place positions, push one back and the other
it on top of the space between the two
forward and then let’s observe what happens
card boards. to the soil.
Decoding Earth’s Script
Analyze and answer the experiment questions then give a brief
conclusion

Questions

1. What happened to the soil when you moved the two card boards to different
positions?

2. What happens to the line in the soil between the two card boards before you
move it?

3. In the activity you did, what does the soil do here and what does it represent,
and what about the boundary between the two sheets of card boards. What do they
represent?
Faults and Earthquakes
Analyze and answer the experiment questions.

Consider a region near a tectonic plate boundary where a strike-slip fault has been under
observation due to increased seismic activity. Geophysicists have been studying the fault
to understand the physical changes occurring at the atomic and molecular level. They use
scientific instruments to analyze the arrangement of atoms and molecules within the fault
zone and relate these findings to the potential for earthquake occurrence.

Questions

1. What specific scientific instruments are used by geophysicists to analyze the


arrangement of atoms and molecules within the fault zone?

2. What types of seismic waves are generated, and how do they relate to the atomic
and molecular changes?

3. In the absence of direct observation at the atomic level, what visualization


techniques or models can be employed to represent the changes in atomic
arrangement during fault movement?
Learning how things happen.
Analyze and answer the experiment questions then give a brief
conclusion.

1. How does the arrangement of atoms and molecules contribute to fault movement?
a) Atoms and molecules are unaffected by fault movement
b) The rearrangement of atoms and molecules leads to changes in stress
c) Atomic and molecular arrangement has no relation to fault activity

2. In the experiment using paper, cardboard, and soil, what does the paper represent?
a) The Earth's core
b) The lithosphere (Earth's crust)
c) The mantle

3. What type of fault is created when sheets of paper slide horizontally past each other?
a) Strike-slip fault
b) Normal fault
c) Reverse fault

4. How does the addition of soil or sand in the experiment relate to the Earth's crust?
a) It represents the atmosphere
b) It illustrates the movement of tectonic plates
c) It symbolizes geological materials in the Earth's crust

5. How can understanding the relationship between faults and earthquakes contribute
to community preparedness?
a) It has no practical applications for community preparedness
b) By helping communities identify safe zones for construction
c) By influencing emergency response plans and educating residents
THE BIG IDEA!

A fault is a fracture or zone of fractures in the Earth's crust where two blocks of rock
have moved past each other. The movement along faults is a result of tectonic forces, the
large-scale forces associated with the motion of Earth's lithospheric plates. Faults can
vary in size, orientation, and the nature of movement.
An earthquake is the shaking of the surface of the Earth resulting from a sudden release
of energy in the Earth's lithosphere that creates seismic waves. This release of energy
typically occurs along faults due to the accumulated stress from the movement of tectonic
plates. When the stress overcomes the strength of the rocks along a fault, it causes the
rocks to break or slip, resulting in an earthquake.
Embarking on a captivating exploration of the relationship between faults and
earthquakes, we unveil the intricate choreography of Earth's crust through a
transformative hands-on experiment. Using humble materials like cardboard, paper, and
soil, this experiment becomes a portal into understanding the unseen forces shaping our
dynamic planet. The cardboard symbolizes the stable foundation of Earth, while layers of
paper emulate the crust, susceptible to stress and rearrangement. Introducing soil adds
depth, mirroring the geological diversity within the Earth's crust. As stress is applied,
mimicking the forces along a fault line, the layers respond with a compelling dance,
culminating in fault slippage. This tangible experiment demystifies the complexities of
fault activity, offering participants a visceral connection to the seismic processes beneath
our feet. Through this interactive journey, we decipher the Earth's dialogue, fostering a
profound appreciation for the interconnected rhythms of faults, earthquakes, and the
ever-evolving geological narrative.

Prepared by:
Dimple Verzosa
Jenelle Marie Quemi
Keizer Teejay Quimlao

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