a Catastrophic EventC. Al-Dahr, M. Karns, S. Martinez, L. Sprague, D. WellingDesigning and Producing Educational Technology Course;

CMP555Mark Clauburg; Instructor

February 10, 2006

Introduction

Tsunamis are among the most destructive natural disasters that terrify people all over the world. Based on the ASSURE model, an instructional lesson plan about tsunamis has been designed for secondary education students. This curriculum unit will integrate media and technology in order to maximize student learning.

Catastrophes

As a synonym of a disaster a catastrophe “is the impact of a natural or man-made event that negatively affects life, property, livelihood or industry often resulting in permanent changes to human societies, ecosystems and environment”

Wikipedia, 2006

Tsunamis Propagation• Tsunamis are produced by

a series of waves, generated by a massive water displacement

• Earthquakes, landslides, volcanic eruptions and large meteorite impacts all have the potential to generate a tsunami

Wikipedia, 2006

Difference Between Tsunami and Wind Shore

Students’ Interactions

• Wave speed formulas are used to predict the distance, time, and overall impact a tsunami tidal may produce

• In teams of two to three, explore the use of a Wave Speed Formula using the handout sheets found at: http://ioc3.unesco.org/itic/files/tsunami_curriculum_7_12.pdf

Tsunami Loss: A Man Gets caught in a Tsunami

Tsunamis.com

Tsunami Devastations: A Man Surveys some of the Devastations

in Thailand

Tsunamis.com

Timeline Activities • Beginning with 6100 BC,

create a timeline depicting when catastrophic tsunami events occurred Wikipedia, 2006

• Supply a brief description of each known occurrence, providing the time and place, of each impact

• Explain what measures were taken to assist with survivors and rebuilding efforts

• Use information found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsunami#6100_B.C._and_before

Predicting a TsunamiIndicators:• Recent

earthquakes or other massive event causing water displacement

• Abnormally receding shoreline

Physical Evidence

• Tidal waves flood entire land masses

• Sweeping away people, homes, and livelihoods away

• Leaving behind devastation and several inches of physical evidence

USGS, 1999

Can Tsunami Be Detected?Do you know that tsunami warning

systems have been installed in the oceans?

It consists of: • Sensors on the ocean floor.• Buoys on the ocean surface mounted by

transmitters.• Satellites orbiting overhead to receive the

warning signals transmitted.

Tsunami Warning System

Pacific Coastal

Evidence

                                                                          

              When the picture of Mr. Vera was taken in 1989, the sand layer was still visible in a stream bank.

A similar sand layer from the 1700 Cascadia tsunami covers the remains of a Native American fishing camp exposed in a bank of Oregon’s Salmon River.

United States Geological Survey,

1999

http://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/c1187/

Research • As a team, develop a list of tsunami questions to

research, such as:

– What land masses were affected?– How did it impact the region/area?– Where did the events take place?– When did tsunami warning signs become noticed?– What humanitarian efforts were put into place to

assist surviving communities?– How are these events being used to predict and

prevent future loss of human life?

Presentation of Research• Teams will be given their own Oceanic Region to examine

• Members will analyze the documented evidence of tsunami events and prepare a research report on their region

• Build or illustrate a 3-D model of their given region and be able to demonstrate how a tsunami has or will affect that area

• Then they will present their information in oral form with the aid of a PowerPoint presentation and 3-D model or illustration

Website Resources• Blogger, tsunami survivor stories at http://phukettsunami.blogspot.com/ offers

a plethora of survival stories.

• CNN, After the Tsunami at http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2004/tsunami.disaster/, this site provides the latest news on Indian Ocean Tsunami; written and animated explanations for a tsunami; slide show; timelines; maps; and news reports

• Department of Earth and Space Sciences, Tsunami at http://www.ess.washington.edu/tsunami/ offers in-depth analysis from leading tsunami scientists; animated clips and diagrams; as well as current warning information

• FEMA, Tsunami at http://www.fema.gov/kids/tsunami.htm offers information on NOAA’s tsunami wave system; pet disaster plans; and even an activity survival list for kids.

• Lonely Planet, Tsunami Updates at http://www.lonelyplanet.com/travel_ticker/tsunami/ offers an impact map; information on humanitarian projects; current humanitarian updates; and travel blogs.

Website Resources (continued)

• National Geographic Kids at http://www.nationalgeographic.com/ngkids/9610/kwave/how.html, for students with special needs

• National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC), Tsunami Data at NGDC, http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/seg/hazard/tsu.shtml provides viewers with up-to-date database information on tsunamis; interactive maps; slides illustrating the effects and damage; and a variety of tsunami publications and records

• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) at http://www.tsunami.noaa.gov/ offers links to Tsunami Centers around the world; terminology; observations and data; warning and forecasts; research and modeling; basic information; and relief efforts

• Nova – The Wave that Shook the World at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/tsunami/ articles and images

• MSNBC, Tsunami, A Year Later at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6758619/ identifies current news articles; satellite imagery; map of the disaster areas; and other resource information

• The South-East Asia Earthquake and Tsunami Blog at http://tsunami help.blogspot.com/ offers records of survival and loss; humanitarian relief agency resources; geological surveys; and updated news events

• Tsunami, the Great Wave at http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/brochures/tsunami.htm this site offers information on a Tsunami event is created and offers tips on saving lives

• Tsunami Pictures. Tsunami.com. Retrieved February 8, 2006 from http://www.tsunamis.com/tsunami-pictures.html

Website Resources (continued)

References

• USGS, Surviving a Tsunami – Lessons from Chile, Hawaii, and Japan at http://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/c1187/ offers detailed information with photographs and historical records indicating how these three Tsunamis affected three land masses. Graphs and charts are provided for visual reference and comprehension

• Wikipedia – Tsunami at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsunami this site offers timeline of past tsunami events; animations; diagrams and charts of how tsunamis work; signs that predict another event; emergency planning; and survivor journals

• Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The Tsunami Detecting System. Retrieved February 8, 2006 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsunami_warning_system

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Evaluation