Project 1: Your Own Design

1. Build your own seismograph. Seismometers are instruments that measure seismic waves generated by earthquakes. Records of seismic waves allow seismologists to map the interior of the Earth, and locate and measure the size of earthquakes. In 132 CE, Zhang Heng of China's Han dynasty invented the first seismoscope, which was called HoufengDidong Yi (literally, "instrument for measuring the seasonal winds and the movements of the Earth"). Today, earthquakes are monitored continually by extremely sensitive, computer recorded seismographs. Task With a few materials and some time, you can build your own seismograph. • To do this activity you first need to understand how a seismograph works. The following websites help: • http://slohs.slcusd.org/pages/teachers/rhamley/Plate%20Tectonics/seismograph.html • http://www.iris.edu/edu/onepagers/Hi-Res/OnePager7.pdf • Project 1: Your Own Design • Think of a creative but effective way to measure the seismic waves (shock waves) from an earthquake. Draw a clear diagram that shows and labels all parts. Then write a paragraph explaining how your design works. A good design would be... 1)... made of common inexpensive materials found in a local store; 2)... able to determine the relative magnitude (size) of each vibration it measures; 3)... able to measure vibrations continuously for at least one minute; 4)... able to measure even slight vibrations (such as a person jumping up and down next to your seismograph). b) Gather the materials you need and build the seismograph you designed. Be prepared to show other students how your device works. • Project 2: Try This Recipe Alternatively, you could follow the simple recipe given on this site to build your own. You may need an adult to help you build it! http://cse.ssl.berkeley.edu/lessons/indiv/davis/hs/Seismograph.html GCSE Question: Describe and explain how an earthquake is measured and recorded. (6 marks)