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Title
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Modeling Earthquakes
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Type
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Primary: Laboratory
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Operation
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Tectonic Fury
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Mission:
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Mission 4: Earth on the Move
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Print Page
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111
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Subjects
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Science | Earth and space science | Earth processes | Earthquakes | Landslides | Science as inquiry | Science process skills | Analyzing data | Collecting data | Communicating | Experimenting | Hypothesizing | Interpreting data | Measuring | Modeling | Observing | Predicting | Scientific habits of mind
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Grades
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5 | 6 | 7 | 8
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Keywords
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earthquake, liquefaction, model, Dr. Walter Smith, map, sediment, simulation, building, landslide, variable, earthquake hazard
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Duration
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00:45:00 (HH:MM:SS)
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Audience
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Teachers | Elementary Grades | Junior High
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Created On
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5/7/2010
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Copyright
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James L. Stanfield/ National Geographic Image Collection
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From: Tectonic Fury Mission 4: Earth on the Move (pp: 111) |
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Modeling Earthquakes In this lab, students will analyze the effect of sediment type on how the ground reacts to a simulated earthquake, and investigate the effect of the sediment and earthquake on model structures. |
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Earthquakes are some of most devastating geologic events that affect people and property. We know that earthquakes are associated with plate boundaries, but a majority of these boundaries are covered by the world’s oceans. This means that our understanding of what is happening in these areas is much less than the areas we can observe on land. Using the data from his satellites, Walter Smith is creating maps of the ocean floor which are helping us understand these underwater areas where earthquakes occur, and focus on what effect these events have on the land and on the buildings we construct.
In this activity, you will analyze the effect of sediment type on how the ground reacts to a simulated earthquake, and investigate the effect of the sediment and earthquake on model structures.
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| Materials |
- Lab 2 Data Sheet
- 2 containers of the same size
- 2 types of sediment (e.g., sand, soil)
- masking tape
- marker
- 5 craft sticks
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- 4 rocks
- water
- large spoon
- stop watch
- graduated cylinder
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| Lab Prep |
- Prepare the containers of saturated sediment by following the setup procedures in the data sheet.
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| Make Observations |
- Using the palm of your hand or a rubber mallet, firmly tap the side of container A in a rhythmic way to create vibrations for 30 seconds. This models the earthquake.
- Observe, measure, and document the effect of the earthquake vibrations on different areas of the sediment, water in the sediment, craft sticks, and rocks.
- Remove the craft sticks and rocks. Mix the sand and water thoroughly so there is no standing water at the surface.
- Place the craft sticks at the same grid locations and push each one 2 cm into the sediment.
- Place the rocks at the same location as the first trial. Repeat steps 1 and 2.
- Describe the similarities and differences between trial 1 and 2.
- Repeat steps 1 to 6 using container B, placing the sticks and rocks in the same locations as container A.
- Compare and contrast the effects of the earthquake on the two types of sediment.
- If the craft sticks and rocks represent buildings and human-made structures, what are some areas of concern to consider in earthquake-prone regions?
- Develop some strategies for stabilizing the buildings, and conduct an experiment analyzing the effect of your strategies. Report your results to the class.
- Compare and contrast the seismic hazard-liquefaction map with the geologic map of San Francisco in the data sheet.
- What types of surface cover are most and least prone to liquefaction in this area?
- What types of surface cover are most and least prone to earthquake-induced landslides in this area?
- Develop some hypotheses about why these types of surface cover are most and least prone to liquefaction or earthquake-induced landslides.
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| Extension |
Experiment with other sediment types and share your results with your class.
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Journal Question
Based on what you have learned, describe some major cities which may experience liquefaction, and provide your reasoning. |
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