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Earthquake Machine Lite. Mechanical Modeling to Increase Student Understanding of Complex Earth Systems. Michael Hubenthal - IRIS; Larry Braile - Purdue University; John Lahr - USGS; John Taber - IRIS. Guiding Question(s). What is an earthquake? What is the role of a model in science?
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Earthquake Machine Lite Mechanical Modeling to Increase Student Understanding of Complex Earth Systems Michael Hubenthal - IRIS; Larry Braile - Purdue University; John Lahr - USGS; John Taber - IRIS
Guiding Question(s) • What is an earthquake? • What is the role of a model in science? • How are scientific ideas constantly changing?
Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson Have you even been outside at night and felt nervous or frightened?
Answer the following question on your sticky note… ? ? ? ? ? ? What is an Earthquake? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
B EQ Machine - Lite Thin Tape Measure Sandpaper Top View C C Rubber Band Tape Measure Wood Block Guide Wood Block w/ Sandpaper
B EQ Machine - Lite Bulk of the Plate Top View C Elastic Properties of Earth Materials Plate has Constant Velocity Here of 1cm/year Edge of the Plate
Seismic Moment Mo = fault length x fault width x displacement x rigidity Moment Magnitude = Mw = log Mo/1.5 – 10.7
B Visualizing magnitude with the model Seismic Moment Mo = fault length x fault width x displacement x rigidity Moment Magnitude = Mw = log Mo/1.5 – 10.7
Elastic Rebound Theory Distant forces cause a gradual build up of stress in the earth over tens or hundreds or thousands of years, slowly distorting the earth underneath our feet. Eventually, a pre-existing weakness in the earth--called a fault or a fault zone--can not resist the strain any longer and fails catastrophically.