Earthquake Basics

Earthquakes occur in response to forces, faults, and friction. Forces are responsible for plate tectonics (on a large scale) and faults (on a small scale). When the force of friction is overcome, a fault slips in an earthquake. The fault stores elastic potential energy before an earthquake. An earthquake releases that stored energy in the form of heat and seismic waves.

There are two main types of body waves: the P-wave and the S-wave. The P-wave (or primary wave) travels faster and is smaller compared to the S-wave (or secondary wave). The S-waves are more damaging than the P-waves. The goal is to detect the P-wave and issue an alert to communities before the bigger S-waves arrive.
 
In this module, we will learn about forces, faults, and friction, which lead to earthquakes. We will explore the types of seismic waves and why they matter for earthquake early warning.

 

Key Points:

Learners will be able to:
 
  • Explore the causes of earthquakes and the reasons why we cannot predict them
  • Describe the different types of seismic waves released during an earthquake
  • Place these concepts in context with the ShakeAlert® earthquake early warning system

  • 9 Number of Resources

These resources provide an introduction to the physics of earthquakes.

Earthquake Machine (Activity 1 of 2)
Time: / Level: Novice

The Earthquake Machine is a simple model that helps learners visualize the inputs and outputs of an active fault system that leads to earthquakes. The Earthquake Machine introduces the basics physics of an earthquake. Instructors can use the activity for exploration or demonstration purposes.

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Earthquake Machine (Activity 2 of 2)
Time: / Level: Novice

The Earthquake Machine is a simple model that demonstrates earthquake mechanics. The parts of the Earthquake Machine represent the elements of an active fault. The activity provides opportunities to understand the unpredictability of earthquakes, in terms of magnitude or frequency (time between earthquakes).

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Take 2: Can Earthquakes Be Predicted? (Part 1)
Time: 2m / Level: Novice

For an earthquake prediction to be meaningful, it has to specify a time, location, and magnitude range that is unlikely to occur randomly.  Who can predict an earthquake? 

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Take 2: Can Earthquakes Be Predicted? (Part 2)
Time: 2m / Level: Novice

Seismologists would love to be able to predict a major earthquake. Watch Part 1 to learn what is required. This animation compares an earthquake to a heart attack. 

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Explore the different types of seismic waves and why it matters for earthquake early warning.

Seismic Slinky: Modeling P and S waves
Time: / Level: Novice

Explore the characteristics of different types of seismic waves with a Slinky©!

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3-Component Seismogram Records Seismic-wave Motion
Time: 2m 55s / Level: Novice

We use exaggerated motion of a building (seismic station) to show how the ground moves during an earthquake, and why it is important to measure seismic waves using 3 components: vertical, N-S, and E-W. Before showing an actual distant earthquake, we break down the three axes of movement to clarify the 3 seismograms. 

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Seismograms: Illustrated Guide to Reading a Seismogram (USGS)
Time: 4m 26s / Level: Novice

This USGS video provides a tutorial for anyone interested in interpreting the seismic records on public webicorder displays. Seismometers measure vibrations. More vibration… more wiggle. Some seismometers measure only up and down; some measure up-down, north-south, and east-west motion. 

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Human Wave: Modeling Seismic Waves in the Classroom
Time: / Level: Novice

How can I get across the idea in a classroom activity using no props?

The human wave is used as an analogy for travel times of P and S seismic waves.
This draft video uses arms over shoulders as well as hand holding methods, so read the caveats about the best method (arms over shoulders). 

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Seismic Slinky: Modeling P and S waves in the classroom
Time: / Level: Novice

A video demonstration of how a slinky can be a good model for illustrating P & S seismic waves movement.

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