Lesson Plan

• Describe how the time of day influences casualty rates in earthquakes.
• Explain the relationship between distance from the epicentre and shaking intensity.
• Analyse how population density and infrastructure quality affect vulnerability.
• Evaluate the role of economic development and land‑use planning in reducing earthquake impacts.

• Projector and screen
• PowerPoint slides with diagrams and attenuation formula
• Printed case‑study handouts (e.g., Haiti 2010, Japan 2011)
• Worksheet containing the scenario table for group work
• Whiteboard and markers
• Internet access for a short earthquake video clip

Show a brief video of a night‑time earthquake and ask students what factors might have contributed to the high casualty figures. Link this to prior knowledge about seismic waves and intensity. State that by the end of the lesson they will be able to identify and evaluate the key physical and human factors that shape vulnerability.

1. Do‑now (5') – Quick quiz on seismic intensity and distance attenuation.
2. Mini‑lecture (10') – Physical factors (time of day, distance, geology, topography) with annotated diagram.
3. Group activity (15') – Analyse the provided scenario table and complete a vulnerability matrix linking physical and human factors.
4. Case‑study discussion (10') – Compare Haiti 2010 and Japan 2011 using handouts; identify which factors drove differences in impact.
5. Interactive simulation (10') – Use an online attenuation tool to model intensity at varying distances and ground types.
6. Exit ticket (5') – Write one physical and one human factor that would most reduce impact in a chosen scenario.

Summarise how both immutable physical conditions and modifiable human choices determine earthquake vulnerability. Collect exit tickets to check understanding and assign homework: each student selects a recent earthquake, researches the relevant physical and human factors, and prepares a brief written assessment of likely impacts.