Name ____________________________________________________________________Period ______
Earthquake Simulator
Introduction: When quakes strike urban areas, the toll in life and property can be great. But scientists
have been working to uncover safer methods of construction and new structural technologies that
“Mitigate” the effects of earthquakes. And they’re finding that where a building is erected is just as
important as how it’s engineered.
Directions: Go to my website, link library, geology, earthquake animation. Or go directly to the website:
http://www.tlc.com/games-quizzes/earthquake-simulator.htm
You are going to conduct a virtual experiment that would simulate an earthquake experience with
ground similar to some in Utah. You have been asked to design a high-rise building close to the
Wasatch Faults, so the ground will be a fault zone. Since a quake is anticipated in our area you will be
using the quake magnitude. Your job is to test and see how to best prevent damage to the building if a
quake does occur. Fill in the following data table with your experiment results. Fill in the descriptions of
your prevention methods under the independent variable. Fill in a description of the damage under the
independent.
Controls
Fault Zone
Quake Magnitude
Building Structure
Independent Variable
Reinforced building materials
Fault Zone
Quake Magnitude
Building Structure
Foundation anchoring
Fault Zone
Quake Magnitude
Building Structure
Base isolation
Fault Zone
Quake Magnitude
Building Structure
Pile Foundations
Dependent Variable - Damage
Based on your findings, what is your recommendation for the best prevention method to avoid
damage to the building and why? ________________________________________________________
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Conduct two other experiments of your choice. Make sure that you only change one variable. That
means you could change the type of ground, the prevention methods or the magnitude. Choose a
different one for each of your other two experiments. Fill in the controls and the variables.
Controls
Independent Variable
Dependent Variable - Damage
Conclusions ___________________________________________________________________________
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Controls
Independent Variable
Dependent Variable - Damage
Conclusions ___________________________________________________________________________
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