Quaking earth, Racing waves

what was the coral that the scientists read?

• Polites

• Porites

• Pelite

• Pirates

Tags

CCSS.RI.2.2

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

What was special about the Porites coral?

• The top of the coral grows and grows until it reaches the ocean surface

• After the top reaches the ocean surface, it grows outward

• Between an earthquake, the ocean floor sinks slowly, so the coral head is no longer touching the surface, so the sides grow up to touch the surface

• During an earthquake, part of the ocean floor rise up so the coral head is lifted out of the water, so that part dies, but the part underwater still grows

Answer explanation

These corals are special, they have rings! So you can count the rings to know how old the coral is.

What was the other evidence of an earthquake is coming?

• Sinking trees, sinking harbors and boardwalks, and some places that is full of fresh water now is mixed with saltwater

• There is no more evidence

Tags

CCSS.RI.1.5

CCSS.RI.2.5

CCSS.RI.3.5

CCSS.RI.4.5

CCSS.RI.5.5

The lithosphere was compared with the _________

Tags

CCSS.RI.2.7

CCSS.RI.3.7

CCSS.RI.4.7

CCSS.RL.2.7

CCSS.RL.5.7

How do ordinary waves form?

• By the wind that blows across the oceans surface, pulling the water with it

• Started by disturbance

How do tsunamis form?

• Started by disturbance, like underwater earthquakes

• Strong wind pulling the water

• A fish slamming the water

Answer explanation

As a tsunami wave hits the shallow water near the shore, it slows down but grows taller. Water at the shore is sucked into the giant wave, exposing fish, shells, and corals that were underwater moments ago. Then, suddenly, a towering wall of water crashes onto the beach.