The UC San Diego Webshaker is a live earthquake experiment conducted over the internet. The user can select a historic earthquake or design an earthquake by specifying the frequency, amplitude, and duration. The shake table delivers base motion to the test structure in the same way that an earthquake shakes buildings and other structures. A live video broadcast and precise measurements from sensors located on the test structure are sent to you over the internet. Once the test is complete, the data is sent to your computer and presented in several x-y graphs, displaying the response from different parts of the structure. The web site has supporting readings and homework problems designed to accompany webshaker experiments. There are also sound clips and radio broadcasts from several earthquakes.
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Part of the Cutting Edge collection. The NAGT/DLESE On the Cutting Edge project helps geoscience faculty stay up-to-date with both geoscience research and teaching methods.
Subject: Geoscience:Geology:Structural Geology, Environmental Science:Natural Hazards:Earthquakes Resource Type: Activities:Classroom Activity, Project, Lab Activity, Datasets and Tools:Datasets with Teaching Activities Inquiry Level: Open-Ended Exploration, Guided Inquiry Special Interest: Real-Time Data, Computer-Based, Hazards Grade Level: College Upper (15-16), College Lower (13-14), Middle (6-8), High School (9-12) Use: Illustrating concepts and ideas, Enabling Student Investigation:Collect and interpret data Theme: Teach the Earth:Course Topics:Structural Geology, Teach the Earth:Incorporating Societal Issues:Hazards, Teach the Earth:Course Topics:Environmental Science, Teach the Earth:Teaching Topics:Earthquakes
