Histogram of Recent Earthquakes


Source: Image by Tumisu from Pixabay

Type: Mini-lesson

Theme: Statistics

Grades: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Learning Target: Students will summarize and describe earthquake magnitude distributions in a histogram.

Instructions
  1. Select current list of +2.0 earthquakes from USGS for a particular location.
  2. Set Output Options to CSV. Copy magnitude column of data. Paste into Desmos field with variable defined, such as t=[list of magnitudes]
  3. Create a histogram of the data: Histogram(t,0.1), where 0,1 equals the bin width (Desmos example).
  4. Have students interpret the meaning of the data. Write a one-paragraph interpretation about their data.
  5. Older students may fit a function to the data and predict how many earthquakes of lower magnitude may occur in the given time period.
  6. Students should snip graphs and enter their interpretation into a group PowerPoint presentation.
Exit Ticket
What other types of data could be visualized in a histogram?
CCSS Math Practice
NGSS Crosscutting Concepts
  • Systems and System Models

Samples