Earthquake Shaking and Damage

Abstract:: This homework exercise is designed to familiarize students with earthquake shaking, acceleration, intensity and hazards, including the quantitative measurement of these properties. Students analyze real earthquake data to determine the damage to their homes. By using students' own homes, they see the impacts of shaking, hazard, and intensity in a more personal, connected way. Learning goals, context for use, teaching tips, materials, assessment tips and related resources are provided.

No Strings Attached

Gulf Coast Geology Online Interactive Mapping System

Abstract:: This interactive mapping system is one component of the U. S. Geological Survey's Framework Studies and Assessment of the Gulf Coast Project. This project provides the geologic, geophysical, and geochemical framework for the region. The mapping system displays different aspects of the energy resources which reside in the Gulf of Mexico Basin, one of the major hydrocarbon producing areas of the world.

Abstract:: This is an inquiry-based student exercise designed to explore how we use seismic waves to understand the structure of the Earth's interior. Students test several models of the interior of the Earth beginning with a simple homogeneous Earth and moving toward more complex multi-layered Earth models. The ultimate goal involves student generation of a model that reproduces actual measured seismic travel times as closely as possible. The activity is appropriate for an introductory level geoscience course. Learning goals, context for use, teaching tips, materials, assessment tips and related resources are provided.