Comparing Shaking Intensity from Two Bay Area Earthquakes

In this activity, students gather data and compare the shaking intensities of the 1906 San Francsico and 1989 Loma Prieta earthquakes. They compare shaking intensity maps from the two earthquakes using the Modified Mercalli Shake Intensity, examine the lengths of fault ruptures, and examine seismograph traces from each earthquake. Links to additional information and to lesson plans that use these materials are included. Educational levels: Middle school, High school