Conceptions about Earthquake Origins: A study with 14 year old students in Puerto Rico

Abstract

This research analyses the conceptions about earthquakes held by a group of fourteen-year old Puerto Rican students. From that analysis two basic tendencies were determined: explanations based on scientific content (closely connected to classical science) and explanations based on popular folk beliefs and «myths» (some ancient and others considered modern). This study also confirms the presence of some conceptions clearly influenced by geographical, social and historical conditions of the students’ living quarters. Conversely, the study identifies various epistemological obstacles which make it difficult to learn about the origin of earthquakes and plate tectonic theory.