Geography

How does an earthquake occur?

Key Stage 2, Geography, Mountains, Volcanoes and Earthquakes

Introduction
Intro Quiz
Video
Exit Quiz
Lesson summary

Are you a teacher?

Clicking ‘yes’ will take you out of the classroom and to our Teacher Hub, a dedicated area for teachers to access our resources.

How does an earthquake occur?

In this lesson, we are going to be learning about why tectonic plates move, what an earthquake is and why they occur.

This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Quiz:

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Before we start this lesson, let’s see what you can remember from this topic. Here’s a quick quiz!

Q1.An active volcano has had at least one eruption in the last 10,000 years.

True False

1/3

Q2.Volcanoes are formed… (choose two options)

Select two (2) boxes

when tectonic plates move around each other.. when tectonic plates collide and one plate is pushed beneath another. when tectonic plates remain still. when tectonic plates move away from one another.

2/3

Q3.Match the volcano type to the type of formation.

Shield volcano

Lava does not flow as far. Many layers of hardened lava build up a steep volcano after repeated eruptions. Lava flows easily so a broad volcanic mountain is built up over time by repeated eruptions.

Stratovolcano

Lava does not flow as far. Many layers of hardened lava build up a steep volcano after repeated eruptions. Lava flows easily so a broad volcanic mountain is built up over time by repeated eruptions.

3/3

This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Quiz:

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Before we start this lesson, let’s see what you can remember from this topic. Here’s a quick quiz!

Q1.An active volcano has had at least one eruption in the last 10,000 years.

True False

1/3

Q2.Volcanoes are formed… (choose two options)

Select two (2) boxes

when tectonic plates move around each other.. when tectonic plates collide and one plate is pushed beneath another. when tectonic plates remain still. when tectonic plates move away from one another.

2/3

Q3.Match the volcano type to the type of formation.

Shield volcano

Lava does not flow as far. Many layers of hardened lava build up a steep volcano after repeated eruptions. Lava flows easily so a broad volcanic mountain is built up over time by repeated eruptions.

Stratovolcano

Lava does not flow as far. Many layers of hardened lava build up a steep volcano after repeated eruptions. Lava flows easily so a broad volcanic mountain is built up over time by repeated eruptions.

3/3

Video

Click on the play button to start the video. If your teacher asks you to pause the video and look at the worksheet you should:

Click "Close Video"
Click "Next" to view the activity

Your video will re-appear on the next page, and will stay paused in the right place.

This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Quiz:

How does an earthquake occur?

End of lesson quiz

Q1.Convection currents happen when...

warm material sinks while cool material rises in a circular pattern. warm material rises while cool material sinks in a vertical pattern. warm material rises while cool material sinks in a circular pattern. cool material rises while warm material sinks in a circular pattern.

1/3

Q2.Tectonic plates move, because...

they are moved by the convection currents in the outer core. they are moved by the convection currents in the atmosphere. they are moved by the convection currents in the inner core. they are moved by the convection currents in the mantle.

2/3

Q3.The epicentre of an earthquake is...

the place where the rock broke. the centre of an earthquake. the crack in the Earth’s surface left behind after an earthquake the place on the earth’s surface above where the rock broke.

3/3

This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Quiz:

How does an earthquake occur?

End of lesson quiz

Q1.Convection currents happen when...

warm material sinks while cool material rises in a circular pattern. warm material rises while cool material sinks in a vertical pattern. warm material rises while cool material sinks in a circular pattern. cool material rises while warm material sinks in a circular pattern.

1/3

Q2.Tectonic plates move, because...

they are moved by the convection currents in the outer core. they are moved by the convection currents in the atmosphere. they are moved by the convection currents in the inner core. they are moved by the convection currents in the mantle.

2/3

Q3.The epicentre of an earthquake is...

the place where the rock broke. the centre of an earthquake. the crack in the Earth’s surface left behind after an earthquake the place on the earth’s surface above where the rock broke.

3/3

Lesson summary: How does an earthquake occur?

It looks like you have not completed one of the quizzes.

To share your results with your teacher please complete one of the quizzes.

Time to move!

Did you know that exercise helps your concentration and ability to learn?

For 5 mins...

Move around:
Climb stairs

On the spot:
Dance

The next lesson in:
Mountains, Volcanoes and Earthquakes
is:
What happens when a volcano erupts?

Browse Oak's lessons:

Subjects Schedule

Back