You've got to check this out:
Researchers at Georgia Tech have suggested that the best way to visualize an earthquake is with your ears! They used the seismic waves created by the earthquake in Japan last year, from three different locations and turned them into sound waves. And let me tell you, its pretty incredible to listen.
“... this approach allows the audience to relate seismic signals generated by earthquakes to familiar sounds such as thunder, popcorn popping, rattlesnakes, gunshots, firecrackers, etc.” For full details, click here.
Have you ever tried to explain how scary an earthquake is to someone who has never been in one before? It can be a little frustrating, because its hard to put into words the power of an earthquake. Earthquakes are loud. But imagine trying to explain what an earthquake is, how it works, and how big it is, to a child. I imagine a scenario where I would have them drop their blanket on the floor, then bounce a ball, then maybe pop some popcorn. After that, turn on this video and have them compare how loud and big an earthquake is to all of those other things. The contrast could be a great educational moment for your kids. And for some adults who are struggling to wrap thier heads around the idea.
Anyone have any other good ways to teach people about earthquakes? Sound off in the comments.
-Chase
Earth Quakes: They're Kinda like...
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5 comments
Zac72blazer
I was in Japan for the March 2011 earthquake. I was amazed to see the amount of people that were not prepaired for extended power outages we experenced. people dont think about the non ability to go swipe there atm card at the store to get food/water. [email protected]
Kcgreen
all three incidences are described beautifully…. Thanks
Yippie
In the '70s, I was an exchange student at the U of H in Hilo,HI when there was a 7.4 and a 7.6 earthquake. I'd gone to see the $1 movie on campus which happen to be the 'Exorcist'. I woke up that night with my bed rolling across the floor and slamming into the wall repeatedly just like in the movie. I didn't think earthquake until my roomies came in. I was so relieved my head wasn't going to spin and vomit pea soup. It was the most welcome of earthquakes at that point. The next morning we really saw the power. The downtown devastation…one boat unharmed set up on a dock, the rest damaged or sunk. The parking lot was jumbled chunks of asphalt all at different heights. Buildings collapsed..debris. All the roads and airport were closed and huge Tsunami had taken Black Sands beach and a troop of scouts camping there. The volcano was erupting. It became a very small feeling island trying to find a safe space between the volcano and Tsunami. To prepare is good practice but the headmaster in 'Angela's Ashes' nailed it when he said "Stock your mind. Stock your mind."
Anonymous
I have lived in southern CA all my life, and have been through the Sylmar,Northridge and Whittier quakes and they were all strong,but the one that effected me the most was the Whittier quake,as I lived very close to Whittier at the time.I had my 5 kids and 2 nephews who I immediately got to safety and away from the windows and heavy objects. After the quake was over,I walked into our kitchen to find our fridge had fallen forward against the side of our stove.Food and milk was all over the place..on the stove, the floor, everywhere.My kids likened it to a ride at an amusement park,and didn't panic,but my nephews were very very scared. For nights afterward,I had neighbors who were camping out in their front yards for fear of strong aftershocks.Everybody reacts differently in these situations. As a teenager,I reacted with fear,during the Sylmar quake, but as a parent,I didn't want my children to panic,so I had to keep calm myself. As Tracie S. said in her post,the ground will shake,windows might shatter..Sometimes the quake will feel like a swaying motion,sometimes like someone picked up the earth and just dropped it down and sometimes,it will feel like a quick shaking back and forth motion.It is an experience that we should do everything we can to be prepared for..
Tracie S
Interesting..I grew up in Long Beach CA and we were told from day one about earthquakes. The ground will shake, the windows might shatter, it'll sound like a train is comming, etc. I also remember thinking that all these "grown ups" were NUTS!! This was in the late 70's early 80's and we really didn't have any earthquakes during that time. Then while walking into my High School the Whittier Quake happened. I don't think you can explain to anyone let alone a child what one will feel like. I tried to explain it to my inlaws, they didn't get it until they got their own last year in Baltimore.