Lesson Plan

• Describe how focus depth influences ground‑shaking intensity.
• Explain the relationship between distance from the epicentre and seismic intensity.
• Compare magnitude and intensity scales in the context of earthquake severity.
• Analyse case studies to identify how depth and distance affect damage patterns.
• Apply knowledge of depth and distance to assess earthquake hazard for a given location.

• Projector and screen
• Whiteboard and markers
• Printed worksheets with depth‑distance tables
• Computer with seismic‑wave animation/simulation
• Case‑study handouts (Kobe, Sumatra, Gorkha)
• Modified Mercalli Intensity chart
• Rulers and graph paper for sketching cross‑sections

Begin with a striking video clip of the 1995 Kobe earthquake to capture interest. Ask students what they already know about why some earthquakes cause far more damage than others. Explain that today they will discover how the focus depth and distance from the epicentre control shaking intensity, and they will be able to predict impact zones by the end of the lesson.

1. Do‑now (5'): Quick quiz on magnitude vs. intensity to activate prior knowledge.
2. Mini‑lecture (10'): Introduce focus, epicentre, depth categories and attenuation with a cross‑section diagram.
3. Interactive simulation (12'): Students model seismic waves for shallow, intermediate, and deep foci at varying distances.
4. Case‑study analysis (15'): Small groups examine Kobe, Sumatra–Andaman, and Gorkha data, completing a comparison table.
5. Whole‑class discussion (8'): Groups share findings; teacher highlights patterns linking depth, distance, and damage.
6. Exit ticket (5'): Each student writes one sentence summarising how depth and distance together determine earthquake severity.

Recap the key idea that shallower foci and locations nearer the epicentre produce the strongest shaking, while deeper events spread milder shaking over larger areas. Collect exit tickets to gauge understanding, and assign a short homework: students choose a recent earthquake and create a brief report linking its focus depth and epicentral distance to the observed impacts.