Earthquakes of Kansas Teaching Activities

Summary: We typically do not link earthquakes to Kansas, yet the state has a long recorded history of earthquake occurrences, both natural and induced by human activities. In these activities, students will track modern and historical earthquakes and learn where they are most likely to occur in Kansas.

Standards: MS-ESS3-2, MS-ESS3-3, HS-ESS3-2, HS-ESS3-4

Historical Earthquakes of Kansas: Students will use historical accounts of Kansas earthquakes to locate their epicenters. Students will then compare maps of earthquakes recorded by humans versus those recorded by seismometers and understand which areas of Kansas are most susceptible to earthquakes. Students will become familiar with the Modified Mercalli Scale and how we can use it to determine an earthquake's severity. (MS and HS)
Historical Earthquakes Worksheet (.docx) 

Seismograph Activity: Students will learn about primary and secondary waves and how we can use them to locate modern earthquakes. This activity is based on data from a Kansas earthquake recorded on February 11, 2023. (HS)
Seismograph Activity Worksheet (.docx)

Further Info:
Interactive Earthquake Map of Kansas
Earthquakes public information circular