Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan

• Find out how to help Japan.
• How does a tsunami form?
• How does an earthquake happen?
• Find out more about Japan.
• Read how kids have helped in other disasters.

Downloads

We have made a special edition of Kid Scoop about the massive 8.9 earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan. The Special Edition is available as a full-page, color newspaper broadsheet, half-page color newspaper broadsheet and a printable learning packet.

Full page color (11.75"x21")	Half page color (11.75"x10.5")	Download Edition Printable Learning Packet (5 pages, 8.5"x11")
Full page B&W (11.75"x21")	Half page B&W (11.75"x10.5")	Tab (9.75"x13.75")

Answers

Answers to the puzzles on the page.

How To Help

Create a Poster

Several organizations are asking the public to donate money to help get the supplies they need to assist people affected by the earthquake. Make a poster, or several posters, that includes these words:

Illustrate your poster with helping hands, smiling faces, or people saying "Thank You!" Ask local businesses, doctors and dentists offices and more if they will display your poster in their windows. Your artwork will attract attention in a very special way!

Agencies To Contact

How a Tsunami Forms

A tsunami (soo NAM eee) is a series of large ocean waves created by an underwater earthquake or volcano. The waves can cause destruction when they reach land.

1. An earthquake strikes deep below the Pacific Ocean as two plates push against each other.
2. The ocean floor cracks and part of it rises, lifting huge amounts of water above it.
3. Tons of water swells high above normal sea level, forced upwards as the plate below rises.
4. The massive swell spreads out in all directions in the form of large waves.
5. The tsunami hits the shore in waves as high as 30 feet, flooding lower land areas and destroying some buildings.

Measuring Earthquakes

An earthquake is one of the most powerful forces on earth. Scientists use an instrument called a seismograph to measure earthquakes. Try this activity to get an idea of how a seismograph works.

Try This

1. On a table place a small toy car on a piece of paper.
2. One person holds a pencil with the lead lightly resting on the paper.
3. The other person moves the paper back and forth very slowly. What kind of line does the pencil make? Does the car move?
4. Now move the paper so that the car starts to slide around. What kind of line does the pencil make now?

Find out more about Japan

Explore Japan
Here you'll find everything you want to know about Japan, from basic facts to descriptions of Japanese lifestyle, culture, and traditions.

Try Sumo online, experience a Japanese House and more
Japan has a rich cultural tradition, and many pastimes have been handed down from one generation to the next. Some of the most popular ones are introduced here, and they are set up so that you can actually "try them out" online.

Meet Kids in Japan
Here you can get a look at how Japanese kids live. What are Japanese schools like? What do kids do after school? Some Japanese children practice traditional Japanese culture and arts, and here you can get a close-up look at their training and their daily lives.

News Just For Kids

See what Editor & Publisher has to say about Kid Scoop and our Earthquake In Japan Special Edition.

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