Demonstrations

BOSS Lite - Building Resonance

10-15

Hubenthal, M. (2006) Revisiting the BOSS model to explore building resonance phenomena with students. The Earth Scientist, 22(2), 12-16.

The BOSS Model: Building Oscillation Seismic Simulation contained within: Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) and American Geophysical Union (AGU), Seismic Sleuths: Earthquakes: A Teacher's Package on Earthquakes for Grades 7-12. Washington, DC, 375pp, 1994.

Activities

45 - 50

1. Define earthquakes and model their occurrence using the earthquake machine.
2. Describe the role of inquiry in the process of science.
3. Give examples of why models are important in science
4. Develop necessary understanding of the Earthquake Machine to allow future exploration.

EQ Machine Lite slideshow and supporting files

Hubenthal, M., Braile, L., Taber, J. (2008) Redefining earthquakes and the earthquake machine. The Science Teacher, 75(1), 32-36

Hall-Wallace, M. (1998) Can Earthquakes Be Predicted? Journal of Geoscience Education, 46, 439-449.

Developing arguments about earthquakes v2.0

.doc version

.pdf version

1. Explain earthquakes as a part of the natural Earth System
2. Describe the global trends for earthquake occurrence and size
3. Students will be able to interpret a Gutenberg Richter plot (Frequency vs Magnitude)
4. Critically analyze data generated by the Earthquake Machine and use the data to develop a position
5. Describe the role sharing of science results with peers plays an important part of the science process.

SeisMac Activity I:

“Take the pulse of your classroom using SeisMac!”

.doc version

.pdf version

1. Describe the information contained in a three-component seismogram
2. Identify the first S and P waves on a three-component seismogram.
3. Describe how first S and P wave arrivals provide evidence for the curved path seismic waves take when they travel through the Earth

SeisMac software installed on a Mac laptop

Earthquake video clip(QuickTime) – 1995 Kobe 7.2M

Sample three-component seismograms, or if you prefer, you can download a three-component seismogram from a recent event via the Rapid Earthqauke Viewer

SeisMac Activity II:

How “hard” does an Earthquake shake?

.doc version

.pdf version

1. How hard does the Earth shake during an earthquake?
2. What does an accelerometer measure? How can it be used to measure an earthquake?
3. What is an earthquakes intensity?
4. How is an earthquakes intensity measured?

SeisMac software installed on a Mac laptop

Download video footage of two-story house being tested by a simulated earthquake on a shake table at the University of California at San Diego on July 11, 2000; Kitchen/Office(5.3MB) and Child's Bedroom(4.1MB) from

The 10.5 Teachable Moment

1. Students will be able to describe earthquake magnitude.

2. Students will b able to explain major factors that contribute to the amount energy released from an earthquake.

3. Students will be able to explain the likelihood of a mega quake like 10.5 "under the objectives column" and 45 minutes under the time heading.

Prof. Larry Braile's

Wide range of earthquake related topics.

Links to sites with additional activities.