Rock ‘n Roll

With last week’s earthquake near Japan and the resulting tsunami, still fresh in our minds, I thought I’d list a few books for classroom resources or just for interest.

First, I’d recommend Fragile Earth: views of a changing world (550 Fr 2006).   This is one of my all time favs and I have blogged about it before.  It shows photographs and satellite pictures of earth, typically of the same spot at two different time periods.  It includes pictures that show dramatic change resulting from disasters, including earthquakes and tsunamis. The visuals are stunning and dramatic, leaving no doubt about the power of the earth.  Because of the visuals, I’d recommend this for all levels but the reading level is definitely secondary and up.

Another book that includes many different earth shifting and shaping disasters is The Day of the Twelve-Story Wave: grinding glaciers, howling hurricanes, spewing volcanoes, and other awesome forces of nature by Diane Swanson (551.2 SwD 1995).  The sections covering earthquakes and tsunamis present scientific information about what happens when they occur and how tsunamis often follow an earthquake, as well as what people have done in terms of warning systems.

Tsunami Warning by Taylor Morrison (551.4637 MoT 2007) provides a brief history of how warning systems were developed in the United States. 

Earthquake! By Anne Rooney (363.349 RoE 2006) provides a basic overview of how and where earthquakes occur and the impact on humans.

I recommend the above three books for grades 5 and up.

  

I’m also including a more informational adult book, At Risk: earthquakes and tsunamis on the West Coast by John Clague et al. (363.349 At 2006) because it does look at the impact of earthquakes and tsunamis at a more local level, British Columbia.  So, if you’re teaching a unit about earthquakes or just really keen about the topic, this would be the book for you.  It looks to be fairly comprehensive, covering plate tectonics, seismology, and predicting, preparing and impact of earthquakes and tsunamis.  Provides a bibliography listing additional information, too.

Two websites to checkout are the West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Centre and the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program.  Both provide up-to-date information about earthquakes and tsunamis including maps.  Fascinating sites.  I found the energy map of the tsunami warning site, captivating.

Update: I was just sent an additional website from the New York Times showing interactive,  before-and after satellite photographs of several coastal areas in Japan affected by the tsunami.  Wow! is all I can say.  This part of the New York Times efforts to provide resources for teachers teaching about the disasters currently affecting Japan.

Any other resources that you'd recommend?  Drop me a line and let me know.

 Today is Nonfiction Monday, a round up of blogs focused on nonfiction children's literature.  Today's event is at Chapter Book of the Day.  Lots of great books to check out.