ScienceVolcanoes & EarthquakesAges 11–13

Seismic Waves & Earth's Interior

Distinguish between P-waves (compression, travel through solids and liquids) and S-waves (shear, cannot pass through liquids); explain why a seismic shadow zone exists on the far side of an earthquake; describe how seismologists use wave refraction and reflection to infer that Earth has a solid inner core, liquid outer core, mantle, and crust

Lesson

Set out your lesson

Practise the bounded task in Seismic Waves & Earth's Interior; see exact limits before inferring broader coverage.

Before teaching

Use this short check, then start teaching.

Activity

Distinguish compression from sideways motion and evidence from inference.

Policy

Exact directed source edges retained; earlier authorship is not learner attainment.

Printer, credit, and teaching notes

Exact directed source edges retained; earlier authorship is not learner attainment.

Materials

These supplied stage cards
Scrap paper and pencil; oral/pointing response where appropriate

Sequence

Read readiness and decide on support without treating prerequisite authoring as learner readiness.
Open Show first and explain its model.
Use Guided Try with support and its separate adult key.
Close Show and guided keys before Try, unless this Try is explicitly supported.
Reflect on an actual attempt, including help used.

No Printer

Use the supplied screen cards; copying the exact task to paper is optional, not required.

Privacy

Use only invented scenarios and optional anonymous local notes. Do not request names, photos, family finances, medical data, accounts or uploads. Stop uncomfortable physical activity.

Use the complete materials on screen or print only the current sheet. Keep adult guidance out of learner view.

Next: Show

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Entire curriculum

1858 concepts · 9 subjects

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Teaching approaches

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1 approach

Selected Default Gakuva

Practise the bounded task in Seismic Waves & Earth's Interior; see exact limits before inferring broader coverage.

Family records and proof options

Keep a record of your learning

Save photos, notes, and attendance. Export a proof packet for compliance or portfolio reviews.

View learner plans ($12/mo per learner) See sample family archive

Learning resources

Extra practice links — they do not replace Gakuva’s teaching approach.

USGS · Practice link — not the full lesson

Earthquake Hazards Program

Open practice(new tab)

Before you open · source notes

Earthquake Hazards Program supports Seismic Waves & Earth's Interior. An adult previews and guides; this is a learning page, not a scored quiz.

Free educational page, no sign-in required for the tested path.

Before you open

Ask the learner one fact they learned and one question they still have.

Opening this link does not save learning or assess mastery.

Source, access and review notes

Public USGS page. An anonymous GET on 2026-11-12 returned HTTP 200 with no login or payment prompt for this URL. Opening the link does not save practice or assess mastery. An adult should preview and guide the learner.

USGS. “Earthquake Hazards Program.” External page; Gakuva does not copy, host, embed, or redistribute materials.

Unknown — link only

Check understanding

No checks listed

“Can your child explain how scientists know Earth has a liquid outer core if nobody has ever drilled that deep — what clues do earthquake waves give us about Earth's hidden interior?”

Curriculum record

Type: Conceptual
Subject: Science
Domain: Volcanoes & Earthquakes
Age range: Ages 11–13