Earthquakes Living Lab: FAQs about P Waves, S Waves and More
Twisted railroad tracks from the 2010 Canterbury earthquake in New Zealand.Copyright Ministry of Civil Defense and Emergency Management, New Zealand http://www.civildefence.govt.nz/memwebsite.nsf/wpg_URL/For-the-CDEM-Sector-Photo-library-Earthquakes?OpenDocument
Students learn what causes earthquakes, how we measure and locate them, and their effects and consequences. Through the online Earthquakes Living Lab, student pairs explore various types of seismic waves and the differences between shear waves and compressional waves. They conduct research using the portion of the living lab that focuses primarily on the instruments, methods and data used to measure and locate earthquakes. Using real-time U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) data accessed through the living lab interface, students locate where earthquakes are occurring and how frequently. Students propose questions and analyze the real-world seismic data to find answers and form conclusions. They are asked to think critically about why earthquakes occur and how knowledge about earthquakes can be helpful to engineers. A worksheet serves as a student guide for the activity.
Engineers and scientists use data collected from measurement tools (designed by engineers) to analyze natural events such as earthquakes. From seismographs, researchers determine the focus location and strength/magnitude of past earthquakes. While scientists cannot predict earthquakes, past documentation of location and magnitude, and an understanding of the effects and consequences of natural hazards like earthquakes on ground and construction materials gives engineers information to help them create designs and choose materials and methods to build structures (homes, roads, bridges, train tracks) that are better able to withstand earthquake forces.
Scientists and engineers around the globe gather data through observation and experimentation and use it to describe and understand how the world works. The Earthquakes Living Lab gives students the chance to track earthquakes across the planet and examine where, why and how they are occurring. Using the real-world data in the living lab enables students and teachers to practice analyzing data to solve problems and answer questions, in much the same way that scientists and engineers do every day.
After this activity, students should be able to:
- Explain what a seismic wave is.
- Explain how seismic waves are generated during an earthquake event.
- Explain the differences between P and S waves.
- Identify the major features of the Earth's surface that lead to earthquake development.
- Describe why engineers need to learn about the Earth's structure and earthquakes.