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Lesson 2 of 15 · Earth Systems

Lesson30 XP🌋 Rock Realm

What Causes Earthquakes

🧪Lab Brief #2

Earth Systems.

🎯 Your mission

Learn the rule. Then catch nature using it.

⚡ The twist

Weather isn't random — it's just complicated.

🤯

Mind = Blown

🌊 The deepest part of the ocean is deeper than Mount Everest is tall.

🔮

Make a hypothesis first

Before you observe: what shape will it leave?

What You'll Learn

Earthquakes happen when stress builds up along faults in Earth's crust and suddenly releases. Seismic waves radiate from the focus, shaking the ground.

Key Words

Tap a word to see its definition.

Steps

Step 1Read

Look at the vocabulary words and write a definition for each in your own words.

Step 2Do

Build a working model of a volcano using baking soda and vinegar. Observe the eruption and explain what causes real volcanic eruptions.

Step 3Observe

Use your senses (except taste) to describe what you notice.

Step 4Record

Write a summary of your findings in 3-5 sentences.

Check Your Understanding

Question 1

1 of 3

What causes earthquakes?

🌍

Where you see this in real life

Today's weather, tomorrow's beach, next century's coastline — all this.

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Stretch Challenge

Try this in real life this week.

Look at the sky for 5 minutes and try to predict tomorrow's weather.

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For the dinner table

What's the slowest change you can think of?

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Next Smart Experiment

We'll pick an experiment that matches exactly how you're thinking right now.

🧪Share card

Share this experiment

Send it to a parent who's looking for a 10-minute kitchen science win.

Ready?

What Causes Earthquakes

Learn the rule. Then catch nature using it.

Full screen — no distractions

🖨️

Checkout complete lesson on Earth Systems for 5th Grade

Get the full Earth Systems track as a printable PDF — all lessons, worksheets, and answer keys.

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What Causes Earthquakes — Earth Systems | 5th Grade Science | LittleActivity