Earthquake in the Pacific! (September 23, 2025)
The Earth in anger
ℹ️ What? A violent earthquake measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale struck the coastal area of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula on September 13, 2025. It is one of the seven strongest earthquakes ever recorded since modern measurements began.
👤 Who? The epicenter of the earthquake was located at a depth of approximately 39.5 km, 111 km from the city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky (population approximately 330,000). Fortunately, there were no fatalities.
🌍 Where? The earthquake occurred at sea, off the east coast of Kamchatka, Russia.
🕰️ When? It took place on September 13, 2025 (local time), in the evening. Tremors had already been felt in the previous days.
❓ Why is it important? Because this mega-earthquake is one of the most powerful ever recorded on Earth!
🎯 For this activity, your goal will be to understand what an earthquake is, how it forms, and discover its consequences on populations and the environment.
Your goal today!
An earthquake, also known as a seismic event, is an impressive natural phenomenon that shakes the Earth. It occurs when the plates of the Earth's crust move and release a large amount of energy. These tremors can sometimes cause a great deal of damage and affect the lives of thousands of people.
Today, you will find out what happened during a 7.4 magnitude earthquake, understand how earthquakes occur, and explore their effects on people and countries.
🎯 For this activity, your goal will be to understand what an earthquake is, how it forms, and discover its consequences on populations and the environment.
The activity consists of three steps:
STEP 1 - Mapping the danger. You will discover where and how this earthquake occurred.
STEP 2 - A destructive phenomenon. You will understand the consequences of an earthquake on the population, especially on children.
STEP 3 - What to do when the ground shakes? You will learn what to do when the earth trembles!
This is what the final result of your activity will look like. →
Let's go!!! →
STEP 1 - Mapping the danger
First, you will learn how earthquakes occur. Watch the video "Understanding earthquakes: The science behind what makes the earth shake" (3:14), presented by CBC Kids News.
The earthquake on September 13 occurred in the region known as the Pacific Ring of Fire, which includes more than 450 volcanoes. It is one of the places on the planet where there are the most earthquakes.
The earthquake a few days ago occurred in the Pacific, not far from the Kamchatka Peninsula.
STEP 2 - A destructive phenomenon
Fortunately, the earthquake on September 13 caused damage, but no one died during the quake.
However, this is not always the case, especially when an earthquake occurs near a populated area.
In 2023, a major earthquake (magnitude 7.8) struck the border between Turkey and Syria, with significant consequences for the inhabitants.
Go to the UNICEF website, read the text about this earthquake, and answer the following questions.
STEP 3 - What to do when the ground shakes?
Perhaps you live in a region of the world where earthquakes are common? What can you do to protect yourself in the event of an earthquake? To find out, visit the Canadian Red Cross website to learn about the three things to do during an earthquake.
Summarize in your own words the three things you should during an earthquake.
Well done! You've completed your activity!