How Fast Do Seismic Waves Travel?
Here's a cool 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 the University of California, Berkeley. From the seismograms you make, you will be able to measure the time it took for the seismic waves to travel from the earthquake epicenter to the recording station in California. Once you measure the distance between the two points, you will be able to calculate the speed of the seismic waves. Check it out!
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Ring of Fire 1: What Volcanoes Tell Us About Plate Tectonics
The Ring of Fire is a region of volcanic and earthquake activity that surrounds the Pacific Ocean. In this project you can explore the connection between plate tectonics and volcanic activity by mapping historical data.
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Ring of Fire 2: What Earthquakes Tell Us About Plate Tectonics
The theory of plate tectonics revolutionized geology in the 1960's. In this project you can explore the connection between plate tectonics and earthquakes by mapping historical seismic data.
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Earthquakes
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Visit the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program to find out about global patterns of earthquake incidents (USGS, 2006). Can mapping earthquakes help identify fault lines? They also have a list of...
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Soil Structure
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What variables contribute to the properties of the soil in an area? Investigate the role of climate, weather, topography, time, parent material, vegetation, and biological and chemical agents on...
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Is There a Whole Lot of Shaking Going On? Make Your Own Seismograph and Find Out!
If you live in an area where earthquakes happen, you might be especially interested in this science project. You'll learn how to build your own seismograph and how to use it to detect ground motion.
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Volcanoes
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Move beyond the papier-mâché volcano! You can find more dynamic volcano model ideas at Volcano World (Volcano World, 2006). You can also learn about active volcanoes, warning systems, volcanic...
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Get Some Practice at 'Fossil' Reconstruction with Owl Pellets
Are you fascinated by dinosaurs, fossilized bones, and fossilized plants? Although this project is not based on actual fossils, you will get good practice at reconstructing an animal's skeleton from individual bones. You'll use what you find to identify the types of prey that owls consume.
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Beach Bum Science: Compression of Wet Sand
Did you ever notice the cool patterns around your footprints when you take a walk in the wet sand at the beach? The pressure of your feet has effects far outside your footprints. Here's a project that uses a simple experimental apparatus to investigate how the volume of wet sand changes under pressure.
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Locating the Epicenter of an Earthquake
When an earthquake happens, how are scientists able to determine the original location of the quake? In this project, you'll use archived data from a network of seismometers to find out for yourself. You'll create your own seismograms from the comfort of your own computer with an easy-to-use webpage interface. Then you'll analyze your seismograms to determine the distance of the quake from each seismometer station. By mapping your analyzed data, you will be able to determine the location of the quake.
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Index of Geology Project Ideas |
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