Understanding Earthquakes: Comparing seismograms

Jennifer Pickering (Alaska Pacific University and Anchorage School District)
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Summary

Learners compare multiple seismograms to gain a better understanding of how different locations respond differently to earthquake waves, and how these variations can provide information about the structure of the Earth. A set of seismograms from two Mw7.1 earthquakes near Anchorage, AK, are provided as an initial comparison option. Additional seismograms can be pre-selected and provided in hard-copy to constrain the scope of the lesson, or learners can access an online data portal to do more self-directed investigations. Educators can provide seismograms from any source, for example the Raspberry Shake ShakeNet data portal. (Opens in new window)

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Context

Audience

This activity can be done with introductory geoscience learners from late elementary through secondary or even early college.

Skills and concepts that students must have mastered

Learners should be familiar with plate tectonics and seismic P and S waves. Activities that will help learners with the background knowledge for this one are Human Wave: Modeling P and S Waves and Seismic Slinky. If learners do not already know how to interpret an earthquake seismogram, precede this activity with Reading an Earthquake Seismogram.

How the activity is situated in the course

This activity can be used early on in an earthquake unit to engage learners, or further along in an earthquake unit to prepare learners for a deeper dive in seismology.

Goals

Content/concepts goals for this activity

Learners will:

  • Identify P-waves and S-waves on seismograms
  • Compare P-wave and S-wave arrival times to rank the distances from the earthquake epicenter to the seismometers
  • Compare amplitudes of seismic waves to evaluate the differences in shaking intensity experienced by seismometers

Higher order thinking skills goals for this activity

  • Interpret graphical data

Other skills goals for this activity

  • Access data in online data portals

Description and Teaching Materials

Activity

See attached file for instructor notes, NGSS alignment, and links to supporting resources.
Understanding Earthquakes - Comparing Seismograms Activity.pdf (Acrobat (PDF) 5.2MB Oct3 23)


Supporting Audiovisual

Teaching Notes and Tips

Instructors can provide seismograms from any source, for example the ShakeNet data portal. See also the Instructor Guide: Getting Started with the ShakeNet Data Portal. (Both open in new windows)


Assessment

Evaluate learners' ability to make comparisons between seismograms, and their ability to apply logical reasoning to develop explanations for the differences in amplitude, or arrival times of the waves.

References and Resources