Earthquakes KS2
Facts, lessons and ready-to-teach resources for teaching earthquakes
Teaching earthquakes in KS2 is a brilliant way to help children understand the powerful natural processes that shape our planet. From tectonic plate movement to the impact of famous earthquakes around the world, this topic links perfectly with geography, science and discussions about natural disasters.
If you're looking for clear explanations, engaging activities and ready-to-teach lesson ideas, our Extreme Earth KS2 scheme includes a full lesson all about earthquakes, helping children explore what causes them, where they happen and how people can stay safe.
What is an earthquake?
An earthquake happens when the Earth's crust suddenly moves. The Earth's surface is made up of huge sections called tectonic plates, and these plates are constantly moving very slowly.
Sometimes, the edges of these plates get stuck while pressure builds underneath. When the pressure becomes too great, the plates suddenly slip, releasing energy in the form of seismic waves. This causes the ground to shake, which we call an earthquake.
The point underground where the earthquake starts is called the focus, and the point directly above it on the Earth's surface is called the epicentre.
Where do earthquakes happen?
Most earthquakes happen along tectonic plate boundaries, where plates meet. These areas are often called fault lines.
Many earthquakes happen around the Pacific Ocean in an area known as the Ring of Fire, where there is lots of volcanic and seismic activity.
Countries such as Japan, Indonesia, Chile and New Zealand experience frequent earthquakes because they are close to active plate boundaries.
Map showing the 'ring of fire'
How are earthquakes measured?
Earthquakes are measured using a machine called a seismograph, which records the shaking of the ground.
The strength of an earthquake is often measured using the Richter Scale or the Moment Magnitude Scale (MMS). Smaller earthquakes may barely be felt, while stronger ones can cause serious damage to buildings, roads and communities.
Teaching Earthquakes in KS2
When teaching earthquakes, children often benefit from visual examples, maps and real-life case studies. Exploring famous earthquakes such as the 2011 Japan earthquake or the Haiti earthquake can help children understand both the physical causes and the human impact.
Useful learning opportunities include:
- Identifying tectonic plate boundaries on a world map
- Understanding how earthquakes happen
- Learning key vocabulary such as fault line, epicentre and seismic waves
- Comparing the effects of different earthquakes around the world
- Discussing how buildings can be designed to be earthquake-resistant
Ready-to-teach Earthquakes KS2 lesson
Our Extreme Earth KS2 scheme of work includes a full lesson focused on earthquakes as part of a wider unit on natural disasters and extreme environments.
The lesson helps children:
- Understand how and why earthquakes happen
- Explore the movement of tectonic plates
- Investigate real examples of major earthquakes
- Consider how earthquakes affect people and places
- Develop geographical enquiry and map-reading skills
Like all PlanBee lessons, it includes fully planned lesson slides, differentiated activities, lesson plans and assessment opportunities to save valuable planning time.
👉 Explore our Earthquakes KS2 lessons here →
Frequently Asked Questions about Earthquakes KS2
What causes earthquakes?
Earthquakes are caused by the sudden movement of tectonic plates beneath the Earth's surface. This movement releases energy that causes the ground to shake.
What is the Ring of Fire?
The Ring of Fire is an area around the Pacific Ocean where many earthquakes and volcanoes occur because of active tectonic plate boundaries.
What is the difference between the focus and the epicentre?
The focus is the point underground where the earthquake begins. The epicentre is the point on the Earth's surface directly above the focus.
Are earthquakes linked to volcanoes?
Yes, earthquakes and volcanoes often happen in the same places because both are caused by movement of tectonic plates.
