Earthquake Towers

Earthquakes are part of our reality in the PNW.

• World's Largest Earthquake Test (6:30 total, watch 1:30 to 2:33 then 4:17-5:57)

• Seattle Fault (3:40)

Earthquake Tower Project:

Follow the guidelines in the Earthquake Towers Project Information packet to design and build an earthquake tower that can withstand the shaking delivered by this earthquake table. See past towers, a sample of a tower failing, and a sample of a tower surviving. 

Steps to Complete the Project (each step must be complete before you move on):

1. Do "Designing" page then brainstorm design. [Pacing Guide: Finish 2nd day of project.]

2. Create a blueprint  and detailed budget. [Finish on 3rd day of project.]

3. Construct the model. [Finish on 7th-9th day of project.]

4. Test the model. [Finish on 8th-10th day of project.] 

Guidelines:

• Students are to be on task throughout this project.

• Only 1 person from a group may be away from the table at one time.

Tips:

• Pink balance sheets, checks and order forms are given out after blueprint and budget are complete and approved by the bank.

• Students need a check, order form, and updated balance sheet for EVERY order. Order forms will be signed and returned but the check stays at the store.

Activities and Videos to Inspire:

• Build a Better Wall Presentation and Activity - Students fill in the Build a Better Wall assignment sheet.

• Earthquake Scales Explained (5:00)

Bonus Research Questions

Bonuses as will be given to teams that submit a typed answer to any or all of the following questions.  Each typed bonus needs to have a title with the construction company, bonus #, and how much the bonus is worth!

1.      ($2,000)  What is a gusset?  How could it be used to improve the strength of your building (give a specific example with a sketch)?

2.      ($10,000)  Research the Mid-Atlantic ridge.  Describe what it is and what formed it?   How do they use it to determine that the Earth’s magnetic field has flip flopped in the past? Put a diagram or picture in to help you explain both what it is and the magnetic field flip-flop.

3.      ($10,000)  The core has a solid and a liquid part.  Scientist discovered this using P and S waves.  Describe how they know and put a diagram of the P and S waves and how they move through the Earth in your response.

4.      ($8,000)  Briefly discuss the theory of plate tectonics.  Include a description of the earth’s crust, mantle, lithosphere, and asthenosphere in your discussion.

5.      ($10,000)  Define the Mohorovicic Discontinuity (Moho).  How did it get its name?

6.      ($15,000)  Describe the Magnitude Scale measurement of earthquakes (which used to be the Richter Scale).  How is the magnitude of earthquakes calculated? 

7.      ($10,000) On average, how many earthquakes of each number on the Magnitude scale happen each year (For example:   how many 1s, how many 2s… up to 8 and higher?) 

8.    ($5,000) What was the magnitude of the earthquake that was closest to Port Angeles this year?  Where was its epicenter?

Earthquake Tower Testing:

Fill in the Test Data page up to "Time Failure". Then follow these testing procedures:  

1. Construction Foreman attaches the tower to the machine & adds metal floor plates.

2. The accountant sets the Richter Scale Control to 5.0 and moves the control box as far away from the simulator as the cable will allow.

3. When directed, the Accountant starts the earthquake machine by pressing and holding the red button. Simultaneously, the Project Director starts the timer.

4. At the end of 20 seconds, the Project Director says “20 seconds.” Keeping the red button depressed, the Richter Scale knob will be pushed to the next number for additional 20 second. Every 20 seconds on the Project Director’s cue, the Richter Scale will be increased 1 level.

5. When any one of the floors collapses, release the red button stopping the test. The Accountant will record on the Test Data Sheet: the time at failure in seconds and the last successful Richter Scale Reading then finish the Test Data Sheet. 

Earthquake Tower Clean-up Guidelines

Items to organize on table for use in future years

• Wooden block foundations (break off balsa wood pieces)

• Cardboard (take off wax paper and blueprint paper)

• 10 pins in closed pin container & 5 clothespins on sandpaper

• Empty and erased project folders

• Unused checks, order forms, fine, and bonus slips

Items to put in your student file for your portfolio

• Project packets & green/blue/yellow pages, pink balance sheet, blueprints

Items to recycle or trash

• Balsa wood pieces

• Wax paper

• Other papers and scraps 

Resources: Blueprint template - Sample blueprint - 

Earthquake Towers Extension: Earthquake Preparedness

Our school was asked by Clallam County's emergency preparedness specialist to look into improving the earthquake responses for our schools.

Research the "Map Your Neighborhood" program.

Write a paper following these guidelines

• Summarize the "Map Your Neighborhood" program in 5 sentences

• List the places in Clallam County where this program has been run, and include any upcoming trainings on this program.

• Write a 5 sentence proposal for how this program could be run by 8th grade science students at Stevens Middle School.

• List the sources you used for your research.