In this engaging mass wasting activity, students explore real-world landslides, avalanches, and mudflows to understand their causes and effects.
Students move around the room reading high-interest case studies about famous mass wasting events from around the world, then use the information provided to analyze each event.
Includes both print and Google Slides options to assign!
In this activity, students will:
- READ AN ARTICLE that introduces them to types of mass wasting (landslide, mudflow, rockfall, creep, avalanche, and slump). A set of text-dependent questions is included to check for understanding.
- VISIT 10 STATIONS, each with its own READ-WORLD case study of a significant mass wasting event. Examples include the Armero landslide tragedy in Colombia, the Wellington avalanche train disaster, the Kolontár toxic red mud disaster, and more.
- COMPLETE A GRAPHIC ORGANIZER as they move through the stations. The categories for each mass wasting event include causes, the material that moved, impacts on people, and other impacts.
This resource includes:
- Introductory mass wasting article (1 page)
- Check for understanding questions for the article (1 page)
- 10 mass wasting station cards with high-interest readings
- Student recording sheet (graphic organizer)
- Complete answer key
- Print and digital (Google Slides) versions
Topics Covered:
- Types of mass wasting
- Causes of mass wasting
- Impacts of these events on communities
- Real-world mass wasting case studies from around the world
Related NGSS Standards:
- MS-ESS2-2: Construct an explanation based on evidence for how geoscience processes have changed Earth’s surface at varying time and spatial scales.
- MS-ESS3-2: Analyze and interpret data on natural hazards to forecast future catastrophic events and inform the development of technologies to mitigate their effects.
Teacher Notes:
- Answer keys are always included!
- Please note that this mass wasting activity is NOT editable.
- Go paperless! Use the included digital Google Slides version!
- You can also shop my TPT store!
