Cataclysmic events occur regularly around the world. It is through descriptions of the personal experiences during these events that much of the knowledge is passed on to future generations. After the 9.2 magnitude earthquake hit near Anchorage in 1964 it decimated many buildings and killed 131 people. As a result buildings began being designed to withstand large magnitude earthquakes. The Trans-Alaska Pipeline was specifically designed to shift and flex when it passes over fault lines. The series of strike-slip faults along the west coast of North America that meet the Eastern portion of the Pacific plate combined with the subduction zone in South Alaska create forces that have the potential of massive destruction. Although the initial earthquake was what devastated Anchorage it was the ensuing tsunami's that inflicted the most damage. Many coastal villages were either heavily damaged or completely destroyed.
In order to show students the scope of damage an earthquake can cause more is needed than only maps. Google Earth is a great program to bring up the affected areas damaged by an earthquake, but the devastation can't be seen. In order to see the damage done, photographs taken during or after the earthquake need to be seen. Although not every event is well documented with photos there are many archives online that hold history in image form. The 1964 earthquake damage can be seen online at www.alaskastock.com. The photo to the right is one photo from the archive that shows the damage done in Anchorage.
Being able to see the destruction gives the students something to connect to. If students are able to see the photos of either the Anchorage earthquake in 1964 or photos from the earthquake that affected Haiti in 2010, they can understand the devastation that occurred. Once this is achieved the stories of events that happened long before cameras were invented can be better understood.
How any particular indigenous group reacts to a cataclysmic event can tell a lot about their culture. Although there are many instances where a tsunami will decimate an area and kill or injure many people they will usually overcome their setbacks and go on to continue thriving and surviving. Culture is often never destroyed by a natural cataclysmic event. Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, but the city was eventually rebuilt with the culture remaining intact.
The best way to ensure that students learn about geosciences and culture from cataclysmic events is to make it relevant to them. Once a student can place themselves at the center of the earthquake, in the path of the tsunami or into the vicinity of an erupting volcano they will be able to understand their effects on the planet and the many different cultures around the world.
Panoramic view of Poas volcano crater with fumarole activity. Poas National Park, Alajuela, Costa Rica. Owner: Mariordo Mario Roberto Duran Ortiz: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
Your last paragraph says it all. Direct and clear.
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