WebQuest: Natural Disasters Treasure Hunt

Introduction

Earth is a living planet. It breathes, shakes, and sometimes gets angry. Earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, and volcanoes remind us that we cannot control nature. But we can learn to understand it and save lives.

 

You are an Emergency Specialist. Somewhere online, hidden among real-time disaster maps and warnings, lies a secret word that tells us how to stay safe during natural disasters. Your mission is to follow the clues, answer the questions, and uncover the hidden treasure – a secret word that will help protect people.

Task

Your task is to complete 6 challenges (one per question). Each correct answer gives you a letter. Collect all 6 letters, rearrange them (if needed), and you will discover the Treasure Word. Then you will write a short paragraph explaining what that word means and how it can help save lives during natural disasters.

Process

Follow these steps carefully:

 

1. Open the links provided under each challenge. Read the information.

2. Find the answer to the question.

3. Look at the clue next to the challenge – it tells you which letter to take from your answer.

4. Collect all 6 letters.

5. Rearrange the letters to form the Treasure Word (one word, 6 letters).

6. Write your explanation of how the Treasure Word is connected to disaster safety.

 

Challenge 1 – Shaking Ground

Question: What scale measures the magnitude (energy released) of an earthquake? Write the full name (one word).

Links:

· https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/map/

· https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/what-magnitude-and-what-does-it-mean

Clue: Take the 3rd letter of that word.

Write that letter here: ___

 

Challenge 2 – Giant Wave

Question: What is the name of the system that monitors underwater earthquakes and alerts beaches about tsunami danger? Look at the top of the website. One word.

Link: https://www.tsunami.gov/

Clue: Take the 1st letter of that word.

Write that letter here: ___

 

Challenge 3 – Eye of the Storm

Question: What is the name of the most dangerous part of a hurricane – the narrow zone around the center with the strongest winds and heaviest rain? One word.

Links:

· https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

· https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/hurricanes/en/

Clue: Take the last letter of that word.

Write that letter here: ___

 

Challenge 4 – Fire Wind

Question: Besides high temperatures, what natural factor (weather phenomenon) spreads wildfires the fastest? One word.

Link: https://www.fireweatheravalanche.org/fire/

Clue: Take the 2nd letter of that word.

Write that letter here: ___

 

Challenge 5 – Deadly Mud

Question: What is the name of a fast-moving mixture of water, mud, and rocks that flows down mountains after heavy rain or a volcanic eruption? One word.

Link: https://floodlist.com/

Clue: Take the 3rd letter of that word.

Write that letter here: ___

 

Challenge 6 – The Most Important Action

Question: According to Ready.gov, what is the first thing you should do if you receive an early warning about a hurricane or flood evacuation? Write the verb (one word, base form).

Links:

· https://www.ready.gov/kids/disaster-facts

· https://ourworldindata.org/natural-disasters (for your final paragraph)

Clue: Take the 2nd letter of that verb.

Write that letter here: ___

 

Collect Your Letters

Write your 6 letters in order from Challenge 1 to Challenge 6:

 

1. ___   2. ___   3. ___   4. ___   5. ___   6. ___

Now rearrange these letters to find the Treasure Word (6 letters, English).

Treasure Word: _______________

 

Final Step

Write 3-4 sentences explaining what your Treasure Word means and how it helps save lives during natural disasters. Use information from the Our World in Data link (Challenge 6) to mention how early warning and preparation reduce the number of deaths.

Evaluation

Excellent (5): All letters correct, secret word found, explanation is clear and well-reasoned.

Good (4): One mistake, explanation is mostly clear.

Fair (3): Two mistakes, explanation is short or unclear.

Needs Improvement (2): Several mistakes or no explanation given.

Conclusion

You've successfully completed the Global Warming Treasure Hunt. You now have a better understanding of rising temperatures, low-lying countries facing disappearance, increasingly unpredictable weather, sources of pollution, and the power of small everyday actions. The real treasure is our planet - take care of it.

Credits
  • geoscience.blog
  • theworldcounts.com
  • sciencetimes.com
  • nationalgeographic.com
  • science.nasa.gov
  • greenmatters.com
  • wikihow.com
  • alternative-energies.net