This demonstration uses an overhead projector, a bowl of water, and a beaker of sand to model a situation in which waves cannot pass through a central object. It is used to illustrate the fact that S-waves cannot travel through liquids. This is another piece of evidence for the nature of the Earth's interior from which we hypothesize that the Earth has a liquid outer core. Full description.

In this role-playing activity, students physically act out the motions of P-waves and S-waves in class to help them develop an understanding of how these waves work in the Earth. On this Starting Point page, users can access information about the exercise's learning goals, context for use, teaching notes and tips, teaching materials, assessment ideas, references and topics covered. Full description.

This is the homepage of the Broadband Seismic Data Collection Center (BSDCC). It features seismic data from several regional seismic networks, small aperture arrays and portable instrumental deployments. The webpage contains detailed information and research results for all the networks the Broadband Seismic Data Collection Center operates. Users can follow numerous seismic information links including ... 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.

In this activity, students will learn about seismic data and the basics of how to use it. Using a single-channel seismomgraph, they will establish a survey line, set up the instrument, and make readings (time, in milliseconds) at measured intervals. They will graph their data, attempt to locate the water table (indicated by a break in slope in the graph), and calculate its depth. Sample data for constructing ... Full description.

This activity has students use simple sine waves to explore constructive and destructive interference in seismic waves. After plotting the summative points of two sine waves, students connect the points to create the resulting complex wave. Once they have successfully drawn their complex wave, they will answer the questions listed on the student handout. Provided are: a list of materials, procedure, ... Full description.

This lesson discusses the interior structure of the earth as defined by research on the behavior of seismic waves as they move through the layers inside of the planet. The lesson details both compositional layers as well as mechanical layers. Full description.

This site contains 22 questions on the topic of earthquakes, which covers seismic waves, earthquake characteristics, and earthquake magnitudes. This is part of the Principles of Earth Science course at the University of South Dakota. Users submit their answers and are provided immediate verification. Full description.

In this activity, the process of finding the epicenter of an earthquake with a travel time graph is simulated. During the course of this activity students will model how earthquake waves travel through the Earth at different speeds, construct and utilize a graph to characterize the relationship between distance and time of travel of seismic waves (a travel time-curve), and use the constructed time-travel ... Full description.

This tutorial instructs students on how to create simulations of P- and S-waves by using simple materials; a Slinky toy and a length of rope. Full description.