Teacher Notes

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• I do: my turn to talk. This is the explanation section of our
lesson where you are required to listen.

• We do: this is where we discuss or work on the concepts

together.

• You do: your turn to be involved. You may be working in a

group or on an activity individually.
Natural Disasters
 Tuning In: Layers of the Earth
Do you ever think about what lies beneath the ground you
walk on every day?
Yes, it is the earth beneath our feet… but what is the earth
made from?
How old is it?
How deep is it?
How hot is it?
Take the quiz on the following slides to find out!
 Question 1
How old is planet Earth? The correct answer is… c)
a) 4.5 thousand years
b) 4.5 million years Earth is approximately 4.5
c) 4.5 billion years billion years old.
 Question 2
How many layers are inside The correct answer is… c)
the earth?
a) 40 Earth has four layers.
b) 14
c) 4
 Question 3
The outer layer of the earth The correct answer is… b)
is the layer we walk on.
What is this layer made The outer layer of Earth is
from? made from rocks.
a) oxygen
b) rocks
c) sand
 Question 4
The outer layer of the earth The correct answer is… b)
has pieces, much like a
jigsaw puzzle.
The outer layer of Earth has
How many pieces are there? 17 pieces.
a) 7
b) 17
c) 27
 Question 5
The layer beneath the The correct answer is… a)
surface of the earth is
called the mantle.
The mantle is made from
What is this layer made magma (melted rock).
from?
a) magma (melted rock)
b) liquid metal
c) water
 Question 6
Beneath the mantle are two The correct answer is… c)
layers called the outer core and
the inner core.
What are these layers made
The outer and inner cores
from? are made from iron and
a) boiling water nickel.
b) hot gasses
c) iron and nickel
 Question 7
How many kilometres is it The correct answer is… b)
from the crust of the earth
to the inner core?
It is about 6000 kilometres
a) about 600 kilometres from the crust to the inner
b) about 6000 kilometres core.
c) about 60 000 kilometres
 Question 8
How hot is the inner core The correct answer is… c)
of the earth?
a) about 50 degrees The inner core of Earth is
Celsius about 5000 degrees
b) about 500 degrees Celsius.
Celsius
c) about 5000 degrees
Celsius
 The Layers of the Earth
• Earth has four layers: the crust, the mantle, the outer core and the inner core.
• The crust is the layer upon which we live. It is made up of rock. The crust is
about 70 km thick on land (the continental crust) and about 5 km thick under
the ocean floor (the oceanic crust).
• The mantle is the layer underneath the crust. It is made up of solid and liquid
rock. The mantle is much thicker than the crust. It is around 3000 km deep.
• The outer core is the layer underneath the mantle. The outer core is made up
of liquid (melted) iron and nickel. It is around 2000 km thick.
• The inner core is at the very centre of the planet. It is also made up of iron and
nickel. However, due to the intense pressure surrounding it, the metals exist in
a solid state. The inner core is around 1200 km thick.
 Activity - The Boiled Egg
• The layers of a hard-boiled egg are
similar to the layers of Earth.
• In fact, the crust of the earth is
approximately the same proportionate
thickness as the shell is to the egg.
• Carefully cut through a hard-boiled egg.
Draw and label what you see in the
cross-section.
• Answer the questions on the
Layers of the Earth Worksheet.
 Plate Tectonics
• Although it seems like the crust is stable ground beneath our feet, in actual fact, it is
constantly moving. The reason we cannot feel this movement is that it is extremely
slow - only a few centimetres each year.
• The part that is moving is made up of the earth’s crust and the upper mantle. Together,
this layer is called the ‘lithosphere’. The lithosphere floats on a layer of melted rock
called the ‘asthenosphere’.
• The lithosphere is made up of seven major plates and numerous minor plates. The
seven major plates are the African, Antarctic, Eurasian, North American, South
American, India-Australian and the Pacific plates.
• Tectonic plates can slide past each other (transform boundaries), slide away from each
other (divergent boundaries) or slide towards each other (convergent boundaries).
These movements can contribute to events such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions
and tsunamis.
 Plate Tectonics - Review
• Complete the Plate Tectonics Cloze Activity
by using the word bank to fill in the blank
spaces in the cloze passage about the
layers of the earth.
• Discuss the answers of the cloze passage as
a class.
 Tuning In: Natural Disasters
• What causes natural disasters?
• Some natural disasters are geological. This means that they are caused by
natural events occurring within the earth’s crust.
• Some natural disasters are meteorological. This means that they are caused
by extreme weather conditions in the earth’s atmosphere.
• Some natural disasters are hydrological. This means that they are caused by
the amount of water present on the earth’s surface.
• Some natural disasters can be caused by a combination of natural factors.
Humans can also play a role in causing natural disaster events.
• Can you brainstorm some natural disasters that would belong to each of
these categories?
 Geological Natural Disasters
• Geological natural disasters are caused by natural events occurring within
the earth’s crust.
• Some geological natural disasters include:
- earthquakes
- volcanoes
- tsunamis
- avalanches.
• Let’s investigate the causes and effects of these four geological natural
disasters.
 Earthquakes
• Earthquakes occur when the tectonic plates that make up the earth’s surface move
apart, bump into each other or slide under each other.
• When two tectonic plates suddenly move or collide, seismic waves (vibrations which
carry energy) move outwards. This point is called the ‘focus’.
• Since the focus is usually deep underground, the location of the earthquake is often
referred to as the point on the earth’s surface directly above the focus. This point is
called the ‘epicentre’.
• Geologists use an instrument called a seismograph to measure the strength of the
seismic waves created by an earthquake. This then enables the size of the earthquake to
be measured using the Richter scale.
• Scientists have not yet discovered a way of predicting exactly when and where an
earthquake will occur. However, they do know that earthquakes occur along fault lines,
and we know where these fault lines are.
What features of an earthquake can
you see on the diagram?
 Volcanoes
• A volcano is a mountain with a crater or vent which allows hot lava, rock
fragments, volcanic ash and gases to erupt from the earth’s crust.
• Volcanoes are usually located along fault lines where tectonic plates meet.
• Lava is semi-fluid rock which has been heated under the surface of the
earth. Initial flows of lava can move at up to 10 km/h. Once a lava flow
becomes established, it can move as fast as 60 km/h.
• Along with lava and ash, volcanoes release gases. Common volcanic gases
include water vapour, carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide, hydrogen chloride
and hydrogen sulphide.
• Volcanic eruptions can vary in their size and level of explosiveness.
Scientists use the Volcanic Explosivity Index, based on a range of
characteristics, to measure the size of a volcanic eruption.
What features of a volcanic
eruption can you see on the
diagram?
 Tsunamis
• Tsunamis are caused by underwater earthquakes. Shockwaves cause the
water level to rise above sea level, then gravity pulls the water into a giant
wave.
• Tsunamis can travel at speeds of 805 km/h (as fast as a jet plane).
• Tsunamis are generally unnoticed out in the ocean, forming only a slight
swell. As the tsunami approaches the shore and hits shallow water, it slows
down but increases in height.
• A typical wave period for a destructive tsunami is about 12 minutes. During
this time, the wave will both peak and recede, causing wide-spread
destruction on land and sweeping debris back out to sea.
• The Pacific Tsunami Warning System, based in Hawaii, monitors seismic
activity in the Pacific Ocean. When large underwater earthquakes are
detected, tsunami warnings can be issued to affected populations.
What features of a tsunami can you
see on the diagram?
 Avalanches
• Avalanches are a rapid flow of snow down a slope. They are caused by
four factors: a steep slope, snow cover, a weak layer in the snow and a
trigger.
• Natural avalanche triggers may include increased snowfall, melting snow,
wind, rain, earthquakes, rockfall and icefall. Artificial avalanche triggers
may include skiers, snowmobiles and controlled explosions.
• Avalanches have the ability to transport masses of snow at high speeds. As
well as snow, avalanches may carry stones, boulders and trees with them.
• Avalanches are most common during winter and spring. In mountainous
areas, avalanches pose a very serious threat to life and property.
• There are three main categories of avalanche: a dry snow avalanche, a wet
snow avalanche and a slab avalanche. These avalanches vary according to
their size, composition and destructive properties.
What features of an avalanche can you
see on the diagram?
 Meteorological Natural Disasters
• Meteorological natural disasters are
caused by extreme weather conditions in
the earth’s atmosphere.
• Tropical cyclones (also known as
hurricanes, typhoons or tropical
depressions) are one example of a
meteorological natural disaster.
• Let’s investigate the causes and effects
of this example.
 Tropical Cyclones
• Cyclones are intense tropical storms with powerful winds and heavy rain. They can also
be referred to as hurricanes, typhoons or tropical depressions.
• Cyclones usually begin over warm seas where there is low atmospheric pressure. The
warm, moist air begins to spiral into a strong, circling storm.
• Once crossing over onto land, cyclones typically weaken. This is because they are cut off
from their primary energy source.
• Cyclones have three main parts: the rainbands, the eye and the eyewall. Weather in the
eye of a cyclone is usually calm. The diameter of the eye is usually around 50 km in
length, but can be as large as 320 km.
• Cyclone intensity is measured by the storm’s wind speed, on a scale of 1-5. The
strongest cyclones are known as category 5 and can move as quickly as 300 km/h. Winds
this fast cause intense damage, such as ripping trees from the ground and flattening
buildings.
What features of a
tropical cyclone can you
see on the diagram?
 Hydrological Natural Disasters
• Hydrological natural disasters are caused by the amount
of water present on the earth’s surface.
• Some hydrological natural disasters include:
- flooding
- drought.
• Let’s investigate the causes and effects of these two
hydrological natural disasters.
 Flooding
• Flooding occurs when a piece of land (that is usually dry land) is submerged under water.
Some floods happen suddenly and recede quickly, while others take days or months to
build and regress.
• Flooding can be caused by thawing snow and ice, heavy rain or storm surges. This can
lead to overflowing drainage systems, rivers breaking their banks, dam failure and
elevated sea levels.
• Flash floods are fast-moving flood waters effecting low-lying areas, such as canyons and
valleys. These can happen after heavy rain from a slow moving thunderstorm. Flash
floods are particularly dangerous, as they strike quickly with little warning.
• Like other natural disasters, floods can be categorised according to their level of severity.
However, even minor floods are dangerous. Flood waters should be avoided at all times.
What features of flooding can you see
on the diagram?
 Drought
• Droughts occur when there is a period of below-average rainfall in a particular
area. This can cause top soil to dry out, groundwater to sink and streams and
rivers to dry up.
• A drought can last for weeks, months or even years. In severe cases, droughts
may be declared after as few as 15 days.
• Living organisms need water to survive. Because of this, droughts are one of the
worst natural disasters that can occur. Prolonged drought can cause plants and
animals to die and crops to fail. This can lead to famine for the human population.
• In areas where there aren’t many trees, droughts can cause erosion. Hot winds
blow away the dry topsoil, which creates terrible dust storms.
• There are three main categories of drought: meteorological (a reduction in rain),
agricultural (a reduction in crop irrigation) and hydrological (a reduction in lake
and reservoir levels).
What features of a
drought can you see
on the diagram?
 Other Natural Disasters
• Some natural disasters are difficult to classify into
one category. This is because they are often
caused by a combination of natural events (such
as climate or extreme weather) and human
actions (such as irresponsibility or careless land
use).
• A bushfire is one example of a natural disaster
which has both natural and human causes.
• Let’s investigate the causes and effects of this
example.
 Bushfires
• Bushfires are uncontrollable blazes that usually start in areas of bushland or wilderness.
They can be caused by lightning, agricultural clearing, campfires and dropped cigarettes.
Some bushfires are deliberately lit.
• Bushfires are very destructive and extremely dangerous. They are large, fast-moving and
difficult to bring under control. Bushfires can even jump over gaps that are in their path,
such as rivers and roads.
• Bushfires are more frequent during the hottest and driest months of the year. While every
continent (except Antarctica) experiences bushfires, they occur most commonly in Australia.
• Even though bushfires cause extensive damage, they play an important role in nature.
Bushfires burn plants and trees which may be old and diseased, making way for new plants
and trees to grow in their place.
• There are two main categories of bushfire: mountainous (fires on hilly areas) and grassland
(fires on flat areas).
What features of a
bushfire can you see
on the diagram?
 Natural Disasters - Review
• Complete the
Natural Disasters Match Up Worksheet
by matching the natural disasters to
their definitions.
• Discuss the answers of the worksheet
as a class.
 Tuning In: Effects of Natural
Disasters
• So far, we have learned about a wide range of
natural disasters. These natural disasters can
have a variety of effects on the environment and
on human populations.
• Work with a partner. Brainstorm as many
potential effects of natural disasters as you can.
Record these as a mind map.
• What ideas did you come up with?
 Effects of Natural Disasters
• Displaced populations – due to the widespread destruction of buildings and property, many
natural disasters leave people without a home. This can cause a massive movement of survivors
from one area to another, placing a huge amount of pressure on services such as health care
and education.
• Health risks – survivors of natural disasters are often in danger of becoming seriously ill, even
after the immediate risk of the disaster event has passed. Health complications resulting from
infection and disease can lead to rising death tolls if medical assistance is not readily available
to survivors.
• Food shortages – due to the destruction of crops and agricultural supplies, food can become
scarce following a natural disaster. Aid organisations play a vital role in ensuring that survivors
are provided with the nutritional support they need, including fresh, clean drinking water.
• Emotional trauma – survivors of natural disasters are often at risk of conditions such as PTSD
(post-traumatic stress disorder). Children in particular require special treatment to recover from
these experiences.
 Management of Natural Disasters
• Natural disasters cannot be prevented. However, the risk to lives and
property can often be lessened through the implementation of a
sensible natural disaster management plan.
• The management of a natural disaster event falls into four main
categories:
1) Reducing the risks through town planning and building design
2) Being prepared by having an evacuation plan
3) Providing immediate relief to disaster-affected communities
4) Supporting the long-term recovery of disaster-affected communities
 Natural Disaster Effects - Review
• Complete the
Natural Disasters Effects and Manag
ement Worksheet
by listing some possible effects of six
different natural disaster scenarios
and identifying how these risks
might be prevented or managed.
• Discuss your ideas as a class.