Demonstration

Ignite curiosity about tectonics and earthquake hazards with hands-on interactive activities! Start with a cat tunnel to demonstrate how tectonic plates push and deform the land in the Pacific Northwest. Then, have students measure the compression in a cat toy that models deformation patterns they can examine in real ground motion vectors and that mirrors how real scientists use GPS stations and seismic networks to measure displacement.

Together, these activities build critical thinking, data analysis, and collaboration skills while connecting plate tectonics, earthquakes, and hazard awareness in a memorable, classroom-ready experience.