Presentations
|
PowerPoint presentations introducing fundamental concepts of Plate Tectonics and Earthquakes. May be used either as learning aids for educators or edited for their own presentations.
|
Plate Tectonics
Earthquake Seismology
Presentation Guide
|
Activities
|
Human Waves Demo How Seismic Waves Travel
This simple interactive demonstration uses the audience to send seismic waves through a line of people to illustrate the difference between P waves and S waves.
|
Activity Instructions
Animations: Seismic Wave Motions – Primary [.mov], Secondary [.mov], Raleigh [.mov], Love [.mov]
Animation: Building Response to Seismic Waves
|
Teaching about Faults Using Foam Faults
This simple demonstration shows how tectonic plates move under compression and extension and helps learners visualize the forces that shape our landscape.
|
Activity Instructions
Video of classroom demonstration
Related animations
|
World Tectonic Boundaries Mapping
The Plate Tectonics Mapping Activity allows learners to easily begin to identify basic tectonic processes on a global scale. As they become aware of plate movements, learners begin to identify patterns that set the stage for deeper understanding of a very complex topic.
|
Activity Instructions
|
Seismic Waves and the Slinky(c)
Slinkies are a good tool for modeling the behavior of seismic waves.
|
Activity Instructions
Video of activity in a classroom
|
Earthquake Machine
This block & sandpaper setup models friction and elastic rebound to help learners better understand the earthquake cycle of elastic energy storage and release.
|
Activity Instructions
Animations of earthquake models
|
Pasta Quake and Earthquake Magnitude
This activity helps learners understand the concept of earthquake magnitude by breaking different size bundles of uncooked spaghetti noodles. The animation explains the difference between Richter Earthquake Magnitude and the newer Moment Magnitude.
|
Activity Instructions
Animation: Earthquake Magnitude (Moment vs Richter)
|