This site describes a demonstration of how the interference of seismic P (primary, compressional) and S (secondary, shear) waves cause standing waves such as surface waves in the Earth. The demonstration focuses on the P and S waves that are bouncing back and forth in the vertical direction in the Earth. Using a slinky, different frequencies are used to create different modes of standing waves. The ... Full description.

These demonstrations are designed to help students develop a conceptual understanding of geophysical principles. The concepts covered in these demonstrations include rheology, seismic waves, reflection, standing waves, velocity, earthquakes, Earth density, magnetic field, resonance, precession, the shadow zone, and Curie temperature. Each demonstration provides background information and a complete ... Full description.

The properties of a rheid represent essentially all Earth materials: they behave elastically over short time scales and plastically over long time scales. In this demonstration, silly putty is used to help explain these properties as well as the yield strength of a material. Full description.

This site contains resources that support an introductory course in exploration geophysics. The materials are designed for use in teaching geophysics to non-geophysicists. Course materials include all those that you would normally associate with an on-line course; lecture notes, references, on-line quizzes, etc. These materials are divided into four modules, one each describing the theory and use ... Full description.

This is one of a series of six lectures covering earthquakes and related topics in seismology. They are part of the course, Geology 101 (Physical Geology). The page includes short descriptions and illustrations of key concepts. Full description.

Recordings on this site present 164 aftershocks as they were heard at one seismic recording station. They occurred after an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.2 beneath and near New Zealand. All events are heard in rapid sequence, without the true time intervals between them. The main shock was at a depth of 30 kilometers, 10 kilometers below the interface between the subducting Pacific Plate and the ... Full description.

This demonstration of average density uses understandable units of total mass and volume of the Earth. The required supplies are a can of beer or soda and a 1-pound bag of pretzels. By imagining, for instance, 4.4 bags of pretzels fitting into a beer/soda can, students can better visualize the average density of the Earth. Full description.

This demonstration of the Earth's magnetic field requires a DC motor, ammeter, electromagnet, and DC power supply or battery. The site explains the concept of a dynamo and how if an electrical conductor is in motion within a magnetic field, a current will be generated in the conductor, and if that current flows around in a loop, it will, in turn, generate a magnetic field. Full description.

This radio broadcast explains how the North Pole is constantly moving due to the rotation of the Earth, which in turn is determined by any changes in the mass distribution of the Earth. The clip is 2 minutes in length. Full description.

The chapters of this online book include observational techniques, physical geodesy, stress/strain relations, potential theory, interpretations of observed gravity anomalies, postglacial rebound, Earth tides, and Earth rotation. The book is 304 pages in length, and contains many equations and diagrams of physical problems. The book is by John Wahr, whose scientific contributions address applications ... Full description.