Earthquake Wave Analogies: LIKE ripples on water

1min 47s Novice

How are seismic waves in the Earth like a drop of water falling into a pool?

Exploration of how an earthquake is LIKE ripples on/in water. Dr. Geophysics guides you through the simple physics of potential energy and energy release.

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Objectives:

  • Earthquake compared to drop of water falling into a pool
  • Potential energy (Mass x gravity x height ) of water and Earth compared 
  • Compression waves travel through water and Earth
  • Potential energy of rock due to incompressibility and rigidity
  • Potential energy converted to potential energy = earthquake

Keypoints:

Earthquake compared to drop of water falling into a pool Potential energy (Mass x gravity x height ) of water and Earth compared Compression waves travel through water and Earth Potential energy of rock due to incompressibility and rigidity Potential energy converted to potential energy = earthquake

Related Animations

Part 2/2 Comparing seismic waves to ripples in water. This animation explores how seismic waves are UNLIKE ripples on water. Dr. Geophysics helps explain 4 significant differences.

Animation Novice

Related Posters

This poster combines a visualization of ground motion resulting from the February 21, 2008 M 6.0 earthquake that occurred near Wells, NV, with the image of a faucet to illustrate a classic Earth science functional analogy: "Seismic waves radiate outward from an earthquake's epicenter like ripples on water".

Poster Novice

Related Lessons

Working in both small groups and as a whole class, students investigate the classic Earth science analogy: "Seismic waves radiate outward from an earthquake's epicenter like ripples on water". A discrepant image connects the unfamiliar concept of the spreading out of seismic waves to the more familiar scenario of ripples on water radiating outwards in all directions after a droplet falls onto a pool. 

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The slinky is an effective tool for the demonstration seismic wave characteristics and wave propagation. Slinkys can be used both individually and in various combinations to demonstration different concepts.

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