Short-segment video lectures to give rudimentary background information on the Earth and plate tectonics to teach how earthquakes happen and how they are studied. The video lecture series was intended for middle-school Earth-science teachers, but principles can be understood by the general public and can be used in introductory undergraduate classrooms.
- Click links or scroll down to view the available videos.
- Check out our Earth Science Animations page.
- PowerPoints used in these video series are available to download with the videos.
Public Outreach
Robert Butler, a University of Portland environmental science professor, talks about the March 11, 2011 Magnitude 9.0 earthquake and tsunami that impacted Northern Japan.
This talk, in 4 parts, covers the Japan earthquake and how it can be compared to past and future Great earthquakes in the Pacific Northwest.
Quicktime Movie (44.9 MB)
Part 2
Quicktime Movie (46.2 MB)
Part 3
Quicktime Movie (54.6 MB)
Part 4
Quicktime Movie (45.9 MB)
Teaching Earth Science
Earth and Plate Tectonics Earthquakes and Seismology
Egg vs Earth Epicenter & Focus
Tectonic Plates Locating Epicenter
Brittle vs Ductile Seismic Wave Paths
Elastic Rebound 1 Types of Seismic Waves
Asthenosphere Elastic Rebound 2
Fault Models Building Strength Demo
Resonance
Modeling Resonance using Spaghetti Noodles
Modeling Resonance using Manilla Folder
Modeling Resonance using BOSS Model
Seismographs in Schools
Videos can be found on our SIS Seismometers page
Earth and Plate Tectonics
Egg vs Earth
Video lecture demonstration comparing layers of the earth to layers of hard-boiled egg.
Quicktime Movie (5.9 MB)
Download Earth and Plate Tectonic PowerPoint seen in this series of videos (22MB)
This series of videos was made in partnership with Bob Butler, University of Portland.
Tectonic Plates
Lecture demonstration for middle-school teachers on "What are the Tectonic Plates?" Lithospheric plates have two parts consisting of crust and upper mantle.
Quicktime Movie (3.7 MB)
Download Earth and Plate Tectonic PowerPoint seen in this series of videos (22MB)
Brittle vs Ductile
Describes the brittle vs. ductile character of the layers of the earth using a Big Hunk candy bar.
Quicktime Movie (7.5 MB)
Download Earth and Plate Tectonic PowerPoint seen in this series of videos (22MB)
Elastic Rebound 1
Uses wooden yard stick to discuss the brittle and elastic nature of tectonic plates. Stress builds up in the earth and when overcome plates shift past each other creating earthquakes.
Quicktime Movie (4.2 MB)
Download Earth and Plate Tectonic PowerPoint seen in this series of videos (22MB)
Asthenosphere
What are the misconceptions about the asthenosphere? Learn about the visco-elastic properties of this layer of the Earth using Silly Putty.
Quicktime Movie (8.9 MB)
Download Earth and Plate Tectonic PowerPoint seen in this series of videos (22MB)
Fault Models Lecture
Dr. Robert Butler, University of Portland, discusses Faults and Folds.
Quicktime Movie (13.5 MB)
Download Earth and Plate Tectonic PowerPoint seen in this series of videos (22MB)
Types of Boundaries
Video lecture by Dr. Robert Butler on the four basic types of plate tectonic boundaries.
Quicktime Movie (2.2 MB)
Download Earth and Plate Tectonic PowerPoint seen in this series of videos (22MB)
Earthquakes and Seismology
Epicenter & Focus
Video lecture discusses how scientists determine where an earthquake occurred. What is the difference between the epicenter and the focus (hypocenter).
Quicktime Movie (3.2 MB)
Download Earthquakes and Seismology PowerPoint seen in this series of videos (35.5MB)B)
This series of videos was made in partnership with Bob Butler, University of Portland.
Locating Epicenter
Locating where an earthquake occurred by using the P- and S-wave arrival times of seismic waves to three different seismograph stations.
Quicktime Movie (5.0 MB)
Download Earthquakes and Seismology PowerPoint seen in this series of videos (35.5MB)
Seismic Wave Paths
Video lecture discuss how the different seismic waves travel through the Earth and across the surface of the Earth. Shows P, S, and surface wave paths and ray velocity.
Quicktime Movie (3.3 MB)
Download Earthquakes and Seismology PowerPoint seen in this series of videos (35.5MB)
Types of Seismic Waves
Video lecture discuss how the different seismic waves travel through the Earth and across the surface of the Earth. Shows P, S, and surface wave paths and ray velocity.
Quicktime Movie (3.3 MB)
Download Earthquakes and Seismology PowerPoint seen in this series of videos (35.5MB)
Elastic Rebound 2
Demonstration/lecture on elastic rebound in solid rock using two models: Block & sandpaper and core of rock.
Quicktime Movie (0.93 MB)
Download Earthquakes and Seismology PowerPoint seen in this series of videos (35.5MB)
Building Strength Demo
Demonstration/lecture on how to design a structure to withstand an earthquake. Uses simple materials to engineer shear walls.
Quicktime Movie (13.6 MB)
Download Earthquakes and Seismology PowerPoint seen in this series of videos (35.5MB)
Resonance
Modeling Resonance using Spaghetti Noodles
Three narrated demonstrations of seismic resonance and why certain buildings fall during earthquakes. Dr. John C. Lahr,USGS emeritus seismologist, demonstrates the concept using three different methods.
Quicktime Movie (2.72 MB)
Modeling Resonance using Manilla Folder
Three narrated demonstrations of seismic resonance and why certain buildings fall during earthquakes. Dr. John C. Lahr,USGS emeritus seismologist, demonstrates the concept using three different methods.
Quicktime Movie (1.86 MB)
Modeling Resonance using BOSS Model
Three narrated demonstrations of seismic resonance and why certain buildings fall during earthquakes. Dr. John C. Lahr,USGS emeritus seismologist, demonstrates the concept using three different methods.
Quicktime Movie (5.94 MB)
