Earthquake Machine: Graphing Time vs. Distance

24s Novice

How can we model elastic rebound in the classroom?

This animation shows the change in distance over time as the Earthquake Machine overcomes friction and jumps during an "earthquake". Observe that the red line steps up in small increments, while the blue line has large sudden movements, similar to the large movement expected during a catastrophic earthquake along a subduction zone. The change in strain over time is illustrated in the animation linked above: Earthquake Machine: Graphing Time vs Strain. Observe that the strain in the red line constantly builds and is then released, while in the blue line, the strain builds in sudden steps until a catastrophic release of energy occurs.

Keypoints:

Model graphs time vs. distance to illustrate:

  • Build up and release of strain in the earth.
  • The first block simulates small earthquakes between tectonic plates.
  • The second block simulates the locked zone of two plates.
  • During small earthquakes strain is transferred to block #2
  • Strain between the blocks builds until #2 finally moves, equivalent to a major earthquake.

Related Animations

Graphing time vs. strain using the classic block-and-sandpaper "earthquake machine"

Animation Novice

Animation of the single-block "Earthquake Machine", a mechanical model of the earthquake process using a wood block, sandpaper, and rubber bands. This model shows how "Forces, Faults, and Friction" interact as elastic energy is slowly stored when the rubber back stretches and then is rapidly released as the block jerks during an "earthquake".

Animation Novice

Related Videos

This demonstration shows that rocks are elastic by squeezing a slit core of rock.

Video Novice

This video shows how to build the "Earthquake Machine", a physical model that represents the “earthquake cycle”, the slow accumulation of elastic energy in rocks on or adjacent to a fault followed by rapid release of elastic energy during an earthquake.

Video Novice

THE two-block "Earthquake Machine" uses two blocks with different grit sandpaper to model interactions between adjacent patches along a fault.

Video Intermediate

Related Lessons

Using a block-and-sandpaper model, students collaborate in small groups to investigate how energy is stored elastically in rocks and released suddenly as an earthquake (the earthquake cycle). This activity emphasizes the role of mechanical models in understanding and testing ideas in science.

Lesson Novice