C Curriculum Explorer
Science·Volcanoes & Earthquakes·conceptual

What Is an Earthquake

Know what an earthquake is: a sudden shaking of the ground that can be strong or weak

Suggested ages 5–7

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Learning journey

Your child is learning about powerful forces that shape our Earth — understanding what volcanoes and earthquakes are, how they change the landscape, and important safety rules to follow during earthquakes.

Evidence of understanding

  • Describe an earthquake as the ground shaking suddenly
  • Explain that earthquakes vary in strength from barely noticeable to very strong
  • Describe what it might feel like during an earthquake

Assessment prompt

Can What Is an Earthquake explain that an earthquake is when the ground suddenly shakes, and that some earthquakes shake harder than others?

Standards alignment

No external standards are linked to this topic.