Handout
Michigan Technological University

Michigan Technological University: Up Seis: Seismology and Seismic Waves

For Students 9th - 10th
Definitions and descriptions of a variety of seismic waves such as S, P, Love, and Rayleigh waves, as well as diagrams and speeds.
Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: How Fast Do Seismic Waves Travel?

For Students 6th - 8th
Here's a geology project that uses historical seismograph data that you can collect from the comfort of your own computer. You'll use a web interface to a network of seismometers run by the Northern California Earthquake Data Center, at...
Activity
Exploratorium

Exploratorium: The Faultline/seismic Slinky

For Students 9th - 10th
A lesson plan for investigating longitudinal waves by use of a Slinky toy. Directions, questions, and applications to seismic waves are provided.
Graphic
Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology

Iris: Seismic Wave Motions

For Students 9th - 10th
Four animations showing the movements of surface waves and body waves that are created by earthquakes. Includes P, S, Rayleigh, and Love waves.
Website
Exploratorium

Exploratorium: Faultline: P and S Waves

For Students 9th - 10th
The different types of earthquake waves are discussed and illustrated. Features geologist video clip.
Lesson Plan
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Set Your Table for a Sweet and Sticky Earthquake Shake

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Earthquakes can have different affects depending on their location. This week long exercise asks you to build a model house and a special table to shake it on, and see how different soil types can amplify shaking.
Unit Plan
University of California

University of California: Understanding Earthquakes

For Students 3rd - 8th
This website is a resource for learning about earthquakes. Java animation at this site helps you visually understand the causes of earthquakes.
Handout
Other

University of Wisconsin Green Bay: Faults and Earthquakes

For Students 9th - 10th
This site is primarily set up as an outline and is loaded with graphs, maps, and images. It covers a variety of earthquake-related topics, such as what causes earthquakes, fault lines and structures, seismology, a historical look at...
Unit Plan
Concord Consortium

Concord Consortium: Exploring Earth's Seismicity

For Students 9th - 10th
This sequence is an introduction to plate tectonics using evidence from topographical maps, earthquake location and depth, and volcano location using the Seismic Explorer model to investigate patterns of earthquake data and to infer the...
Handout
NASA

Nasa Space Place: What Is an Earthquake?

For Students 3rd - 8th
Discover why earthquakes happen, how we measure them, and why they only happen on Earth.
Handout
Michigan Technological University

Michigan Tech University: Where Do Earthquakes Happen?

For Students 9th - 10th
An informative site that explains how and where earthquakes occur and the different types of faults. Contains maps and charts of fault lines, plate edges, and the continental plates. There are other links within the site of related...
Handout
Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology

Iris: How Are Earthquakes Located?

For Students 9th - 10th
This illustrated fact sheet shows how S and P waves each travel at varying speeds and therefore arrive at seismic stations at different times.
Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Seismology in the Classroom

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students learn about seismology by using a sample seismograph constructed out of common classroom materials. The seismograph creates a seismogram based on vibrations caused by moving a ruler. The students work in groups to represent an...