Students study the Mercalli Scale and analyze how it is used to rate earthquakes. They construct a booklet with drawings that represent each rating of the scale. They study why engineers develop rating scales for earthquakes.

Students examine how a Richter scale operates. They create a booklet illustrating each rating on the scale. They discover how engineers use different measurement tools.

Students discuss the effects of earthquakes. In this earth science instructional activity, students create earthquake models and earthquake-proof buildings. They construct their own seismograph.