Forecasting Natural Hazards
Aligned to MS-ESS3-2 — Next Generation Science Standards.
What this lesson teaches
Natural hazards like earthquakes, volcanoes, floods, and hurricanes cannot be stopped, but many leave patterns in the data. By mapping where they have struck before and watching for warning signs, scientists forecast where future events are likely and design technologies to reduce the damage.
Worked example
Most earthquakes cluster along plate boundaries, so a map of past quakes reveals the high-risk zones. Engineers in those zones cannot prevent the shaking, but they can build in it — flexible foundations and early-warning sensors give people seconds to take cover before the ground moves.
Practice questions
- Look up a hazard map for your region and identify which natural hazard is most likely where you live.
- Explain how knowing where past earthquakes happened helps predict where future ones may occur.
- Design one simple technology or plan that could reduce harm from a flood or storm.
Watch the lesson
Every lesson comes with a video taught in English and Spanish — the same video the QR code in the printed workbook opens.
▶ Watch this lessonEn español
Pronosticar los peligros naturales
Los peligros naturales como los terremotos, volcanes, inundaciones y huracanes no se pueden detener, pero muchos dejan patrones en los datos. Al mapear dónde han ocurrido antes y vigilar señales de alerta, los científicos pronostican dónde son probables los eventos futuros y diseñan tecnologías para reducir el daño.
Ejemplo: La mayoría de los terremotos se concentran a lo largo de los límites de placas, así que un mapa de sismos pasados revela las zonas de alto riesgo. Los ingenieros en esas zonas no pueden evitar el temblor, pero pueden construir para resistirlo: cimientos flexibles y sensores de alerta temprana dan a la gente segundos para protegerse antes de que se mueva el suelo.
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