2017 Puebla earthquake

High school (ages 12+)
Environment & Earth

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/2017-puebla-earthquake

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the seismic moment magnitude?7.1 Mw
2. What is the date and time?September 19, 2017, 13:14 CDT (18:14 UTC)
3. How strong was the shaking?The shaking lasted about 20 seconds and was strong enough to make many buildings wobble and collapse.
4. Where did the earthquake happen?The epicenter was about 55 kilometers south of Puebla, and it affected Puebla, Morelos, and the Greater Mexico City area.

Moment Magnitude Scale (Mw): A scale measuring the total energy released by an earthquake, considered more accurate for large quakes.
Epicenter: The point on the Earth's surface directly above the hypocenter (focus) of an earthquake.
Pacific Ring of Fire: A horseshoe-shaped zone around the Pacific Ocean known for its high seismic and volcanic activity.
Seismic Drill: A practice exercise to prepare people for responding to an earthquake.