Intervention and assessment of earthquake knowledge at rural schools near the New Madrid seismic zone, USA
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Intervention and assessment of earthquake knowledge at rural schools near the New Madrid seismic zone, USA Harvey Henson1,2 · Justin McDaniel3 · Rajvee Subramanian4 · Tishauna Edwards3 Received: 5 May 2020 / Accepted: 29 July 2020 © Springer Nature B.V. 2020
Abstract Possible recurrence of large earthquakes such as the 1811–1812 New Madrid sequence presents a significant hazard in the Central United States. The efficacy of earthquake educational interventions intended to mitigate the Central United States earthquake threat has not been assessed. We describe the assessment of an intervention consisting of earth science and earthquake content presentations, an earthquake simulation and preparedness video, discussions with questions and answers, and a safety drill. Elementary and middle school students in nine schools in rural Illinois were tested before and after the intervention to determine the effectiveness of the intervention. Data were collected using a 21-item, 3-construct questionnaire. Following factor analysis of the survey data, general linear mixed models were estimated to examine the effect of the intervention on student knowledge along three domains. Results indicated students’ knowledge increased significantly in local and general earthquake knowledge, as well as in general earthquake safety knowledge. Findings of this study provided evidence to improve earthquake outreach programs and to advance science teaching methods, especially in rural schools. Additionally, the assertion that interventions must be assessed was reinforced, and information gained will improve the assessment instrument and methodology. Keywords Earthquake science education · Educational assessment · Rural education · Earthquake preparedness · Earthquake intervention
1 Introduction Catastrophic and historically significant earthquakes have occurred in the Central United States along the Mississippi, Ohio, and Wabash River valleys (Fuller 1912; Nuttli 1973; Zoback et al. 1980; Johnston 1982; Nuttli 1982; Obermeier et al. 1991; Munson et al. 1995; Johnston and Schweig 1996; Wheeler et al. 2003; Olson et al. 2005’ USGS 2007). The region resides at the convergence of these great rivers and is surrounded by more than two-hundred years of development (Fig. 1). Major cities, numerous municipalities, expansive utility systems, extensive transportation networks, and over 40 million * Harvey Henson [email protected] Extended author information available on the last page of the article
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Natural Hazards
Fig. 1 Location and magnitude of historic and recent seismicity (M3.0 and larger) associated with the New Madrid seismic zone, the Wabash Valley seismic zone, and the recently identified Ste. Genevieve seismic zone; illustration adapted from figure one in US Geological Survey Fact Sheet 2006–3125 (USGS 2007)
people occupy the region situated within the New Madrid seismic zone (NMSZ). The area remains seismically active and is one of the most seismogenic regions east of the Rocky Mountains. Experts agree this regi
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