Taking Part in 'Shake Out'.

We live in an earthquake-prone country (that means we get lots of earthquakes), so everyone needs to know how to keep safe during a big shake.

On October 15, communities, businesses and schools around New Zealand took part in International 'Shake Out' Day.

We watched this video to help ourselves get prepared.

We know to 'drop' 'cover' and 'hold' during a shake.

When the all-clear went, we walked outside for a roll-call.

Have you ever been in an earthquake?

Why is it important to practise what to do?

What do you have in your emergency kit? 

Raising Money for Christchurch

This week the school had a mufti day, sausage sizzle and lunchtime disco to raise money for the 
earthquake relief effort in Christchurch.

We were pleased to find out that the school raised nearly $500!

Thanks to the Student Council for organising and running the day.

Here we are in our mufti clothes and at the disco.

Today the national Memorial service was being held in Christchurch, and our thoughts were with all who had lost loved ones.
Our thoughts are also with those caught up in the devastation in Japan.

Earthquake Map Link

Our friends at Tokomaru School found this link to the University of Canterbury site where we can see graphics of the quakes Christchurch has had since 4th September.

Christchurch Quake map

Earth Egg

This morning we used boiled eggs to help us understand why earthquakes happen.

If the Earth was an egg, the shell would be the crust of the Earth.

The white of the egg would be the Earth's mantle.

The yolk of the egg would be the Earth's core.

We lightly cracked the egg and imagined that the cracked pieces were the tectonic plates of the Earth. We moved them a little, and pushed some bits under other bits. It helped us to visualise how earthquakes happen.

Can you name any of the tectonic plates?

Earthquake!

Did you feel the earthquake this morning at 4.35am?
It was a 7.1 quake centred near Christchurch.
What did you do? I hopped out of bed and stood in the doorway until it stopped!
I wonder if Mr McKenzie felt it underground in the coalmine. I will find out when he gets home soon.
Click on these links to find out more:
NZ Herald photos

TVNZ videos

The Press photos

Earthquakes for Kids

Awesome Forces from Te Papa

What should we have in our disaster kits?
Here is the link to the Civil Defence website.