Earthquake Simulator

1/22/2013

Go to the website listed below. You are going to use the earthquake simulator. Be sure to follow the directions by choosing your type of ground, foundation, and earthquake. Repeat the process several times and be sure to read your "aftermath" results after each simulation.

http://dsc.discovery.com/guides/planetearth/earthquake/interactive/interactive.html

What did you learn from this activity? What do you think is the best foundation and type of ground for buildings to be on? Why?

116 Comments

Rebekah Cousson

1/22/2013 09:51:51 pm

The more the building and ground was stable there was less damage to the building.

Megan Kinsey

1/23/2013 10:14:36 pm

I disagree. It also depends on how much the ground shook. It could be way stronger and the buildings are very firm, but if it happened to be like a 7.8 or something high like that any building can fall. and yes the ground has a lot to do with it and so does the building structure, but it depends on how hard the earthquake hit.

maggie greer

1/22/2013 09:52:08 pm

I learned that you need to build your building on a strong foundation. You should build it on stable solid ground, so if there is an earthquake the damage will not be as bad.

Charla Durrence

1/23/2013 10:22:22 pm

I also agree, that it does matter when you do have strong foundation and stable,solid ground,that when an earthquake occurs, the damage will not be as bad.If you have unstable ground that you build on, your building will likely crash.

Emily Threlkeld

1/24/2013 04:20:44 am

I agree with Maggie. She could have put more details and facts about the foundation. She should have put base isolation because it absorbs the shock waves and minimizes destruction.

Megan Kinsey

1/24/2013 06:00:22 am

I agree 100% with Maggie! You should always build it on firm ground and always make sure you builing is stable. If the building is not stable when and earthquake occurs it will all crash down and it would be destroyed. The ground is also important part of it too. If you have unstable ground then as soon as a earthqake hits there is no point in how stable the building is.

Zach Anderson

1/22/2013 09:53:35 pm

I learned that, for a building or a structure, a plan for a solid foundation is very important. The foundation for any sort of building would be the most supportive in the form of the anchoring. This anchors the building into the ground and keeps it structually exempt from any low to mild earthquake. The ground needs to be stable too, as any quake near a coast or fault heightens it's intensity.

Jake Woolard

1/23/2013 10:16:40 pm

I agree. Stable ground is important.Anchoring is also the most supportive to the building, keeping it prone to any mild earthquake or tremer.

Aubrey Ray

1/23/2013 10:20:02 pm

I think Zach is right. The anchor foundation is the best structure to have during an earthquake. He is also right saying having a solid foundation is very important.

Grainger Ballard

1/23/2013 10:48:18 pm

I agree. You need a strong surface to secure the building from any earthquake or disaster.

Logan Williams

1/24/2013 05:57:13 am

I agree it takes a strong foundation to hold the building together and the type of ground it is made on is inportant too.

Connor O'Sullivan

1/24/2013 06:24:20 am

I agree, the structure of a buildind should be anchored to the ground ,so the building does not shake and crumble.

dake

1/24/2013 07:47:42 am

i agree i noticed the same thing

Katie Bell

1/22/2013 09:54:19 pm

I learned that the foundation you build on greatly influences your buildings during an earthquake. The best type of ground to build on in an earthquake zone is firm, solid ground.The solid ground doesn't move as much and is safer than other types of ground.

Zac Kumpula

1/23/2013 10:01:23 pm

I agree that the best foundation for an earthquake is solid ground. It is much safer than other types of ground and it keeps the building up longer where as others do not.

Zach Anderson

1/23/2013 10:01:38 pm

I agree, the firm, solid ground is the most stable in any case and provides the most protection against any earthquakes.

Matthew floyd

1/23/2013 10:07:01 pm

I agree that you should build on a solid ground because it is safer to live on.

Lane Da$her

1/23/2013 10:10:06 pm

I agree, Katie, the foundation you have does greatly influence your building during the earthquake. It is very important to firm solid ground because it doesnt move as much as other grounds and keeps your building safe.

Maggie Greer

1/23/2013 10:10:59 pm

I agree, the foundation is the main influence. You need to have a strong, solid ground. The strong, solid ground is way safer.

Rebekah Cousson

1/23/2013 10:14:13 pm

I agree the best type of ground to build on is firm, solid ground. The anchoring foundation is the strongest because, it holds the building in place. Though, if it was a superquake it would probably destroy the building and it would break into pieces.

Graham Tanner

1/23/2013 10:17:45 pm

I also agree that the foundation greatly influences your building during an earthquake. If the ground is firm the building will be less likely to fall but if it is loose, gravely soil then it will be more likely to fall. Also depending on the support of the building and how it is made can determine how strong it will be during an earthquake.

Natalie Mincey

1/23/2013 10:58:57 pm

I agree, the firm and stable foundation would be the best protection during an earthquake. It is a lot safer than other types of ground.

Allison Harvey

1/24/2013 06:40:10 am

I agree. The best type of ground is definitely firm,solid ground.:):):)

Rachel Jarriel

1/24/2013 06:52:48 am

I think you are right a firm foundation is very important. So is solid ground greatly important.

Graham Tanner

1/22/2013 09:54:29 pm

I learned that the ground you build on can determine how much damage the earthquake causes. Also that there are many ways to make a building safer if an earthquake occurs.

Madolyn Hendrix

1/24/2013 12:11:58 am

I agree because there are different ways to make the buildings alot safer if an earthquakes were to happen.

Robin Salter

1/24/2013 08:54:46 am

I agree with Graham, although I think that the ground should be solid and stable.

christian strickland

1/22/2013 09:54:36 pm

I learned that stable ground is better than moist ground but a earthquake is still able to cause damage no matter what

Jobie

1/23/2013 10:58:20 pm

The erthquake can usualy cause damadge but if you biuld on a solid ground and a leaniate foundation the building will have enough give to save it.

Aubrey Ray

1/22/2013 09:54:41 pm

The worst surrounding is the coast. I think the anchor foundation was the best ground to be on. This is the most stable ground.

Taylor Sapp(:

1/24/2013 10:04:37 am

I agree with Aubrey Ray that the coast is the worst surroundings towards this. The anchor is the best because it was most stable.

Abigail Bland

1/24/2013 11:29:11 am

I agree with you,Aubrey 100%, I think that anchor is the best foundation. A coastground house better have a good anchoring foundation!

Megan Kinsey

1/22/2013 09:54:48 pm

The coastal one was the worst one that I chose. When the earthquake hit the building crashed and water came pooring in. If the earthquakes are gonna be this big they need better and steadier buildings. The ground wasn not the best to take a earyhquake that was that big. Thank you Ms. Bracken for the good demonstration!:)

Lauren McNure

1/24/2013 05:42:59 am

I completely agree with you, Megan. I did the simulator 3 times and each time I changed everything except my location so after the third time I knew that the coastal area was where I was going wrong. I also think that he anchor ground was the most stable ground.

Charla Durrence

1/22/2013 09:54:48 pm

The earthquake simulator was fun and I learned alot. The coastal land was the worst earthquake that i could make with the earthquake simulator. I had so much fun with getting to make my own earthquake with the earthquake simulator. Thanks Ms. Bracken for showing me this awesome simulator!:)

Katie Bell

1/23/2013 09:59:41 pm

I agree that the simulator was fun. It also taught me a lot about earthquakes and the damge they cause in different scenarios. While using the simulator, I learned about the best foundation and anchoring system in an earthquake zone.

MATTHEW FLOYD

1/22/2013 09:54:53 pm

I learned that people scaled the earthquake by how much damage it did from 1 to 9.5 and by what ground you build on is how much damage you have

cameron dutton

1/22/2013 09:55:10 pm

That superquakes are the stongest agains loose gravel and sandy soil.A solid firm base and foundation. so the earthquake damage wouldnt be as bad

Trent Kennedy

1/22/2013 09:56:22 pm

I learned from the activity that the base foundation is the best foundation for the building. The solid ground is best to put a building on because it holds up the building and does not flood like the coastal.

Cameron duttonnnn

1/23/2013 10:02:47 pm

I agree, the base foundation is one of the best foundations to have< and the solid ground.

EA Waters

1/23/2013 10:19:21 pm

I agree. The more stable the ground, the more stable the house will be. =)

Trey May

1/24/2013 08:31:17 am

I totally agree. The more stable the ground is the more likely the building will be standing after an earthquake.

parks

1/24/2013 10:29:51 am

i agree,the ground should be solid,so the ground will not move as much,and it will cause less damage to all the buildings.

Courtney Kirkland

1/22/2013 09:56:46 pm

I learned that, you need to build your building on a strong foundation for it to stay, and the more stable the ground, the longer your building will stay up.

Lane Dasher

1/22/2013 09:57:24 pm

my house broke on all the grounds and even flooded once but the best ground was coastal ground but it also depends on what type of earthquake you get the bigger the earthquake= the more damage.

EmilyAnn Waters

1/22/2013 09:57:41 pm

I learned how to build a buliding. Solid rock is the best place for a bulding if you know earhtquakes are going to occur. Ground that is not near a faul is probabably another good place. I think that if you build a building on a stabled ground it is more likly to hold up better if a earhtquake occurs. And if you build the bulding high up of the ground, water will not be able to reach it.

Alexis Durrence

1/22/2013 09:57:52 pm

Different things happen to buildings that are on different types of foundations and that are bulit different. Tall buildings should be on solid rock, not soft sand because then, even if they aren't built strong, they will have a better chance at staying up.

Jake Woolard

1/22/2013 09:58:08 pm

If a superquake hit a major city, the city needs a solid structure and good support for it to survive. The best type of foundation is base isolation, because it allows the ground and the earthquake to move as one and keeps the building form breaking in half. the best type of ground is a solid ground because it is harder to break.

Quincy Tanner

1/23/2013 10:52:19 pm

I agree you need to have good support to let building to survive. The solid ground will also help.

sam glisson

1/24/2013 10:06:04 am

I agree you need good support and structure

Emma Dasher

1/22/2013 09:59:57 pm

I learned that, your building is more stable if it has a strong foundation. A stronger foundation is safer anywhere.

Rachel Jarriel

1/22/2013 10:00:05 pm

I learned that building on certain ground will effect the outcome.I thought the best ground was hard solid ground. the magnitude will also effect the outcome.If it is just a tremor it will not have much damage,but if it is a full out earthquake there will be allot of damage.

Quincy Tanner

1/22/2013 10:02:27 pm

Showed how to build building to prepare for an earthquake.The first made a crack, and the last time it made building get destroyed.The solid foundation.It makes less damage.

logan williams

1/22/2013 10:11:02 pm

stable solid ground could not withstand a superquake, when a normal quake occured it caused lots of quakes, but it could withstand a tremor with very few cracks

1/24/2013 06:17:54 am

You need a capitol letter Logan!!

Blake Barry

1/22/2013 10:12:14 pm

This video was cool it showed how to be prepared for a earthquake by showing what kind of foundation is needed. you needed a solid foundation.It gives the best most support.

elizabeth porter

1/22/2013 10:35:56 pm

I learned it becomes different to avord to built in active areas.

Miranda DeLoach

1/22/2013 10:38:31 pm

I learned that you have to build on the right kind of ground for your building to last during an earthquake. Safe, solid, hard ground away from the coast and a fault seems to be the safest; also, have your foundation deep in the ground and steel mesh in your building will help. You can build on soft, sandy, wet ground, but it's going to suffer much more damage because it lists or sway from the earthquake. Building near the coast causes flooding, which is not a big help;building on or near a fault line, while sometimes unavoidable, is also a terrible idea...the earthquake will always be worse if you build on a fault!

Natalie Mincey

1/22/2013 10:38:40 pm

I learned how you can get ready for an earthquake and what kind of foundation you needed to keep the building stable. Concrete or other stable structures are probably the best foundation you can use. It is very sturdy and stable.

Lauren Potts

1/22/2013 10:39:36 pm

By using the earthquake simulator, it showed that stable, solid ground is the best ground to be on during an earthquake. Base isolation helps the ground and building to move as one so it acts as a huge shock absorber.

jobie

1/22/2013 10:39:46 pm

the coastal soil is what you woud find , it would be anchord and woul be a tremer. the building would not move because of ancoring and would fall but if it would have movemet it wouldn't

Madeline Thompson

1/23/2013 11:58:50 pm

I disagree. The coastal ground is much too soft to be good at holding up the buildings against an earthquake.

Grainger Ballard

1/22/2013 10:40:17 pm

I learned that you need to build on strong ground just in case of any causualties due to: earthquakes, tsunami, etc. If you don't build on strong ground, Your building will suffer from damage. Make sure you build on firm ground.

Lauren Potts

1/23/2013 10:57:50 pm

I agree with you, Grainger. If your building is on solid ground, you will be much safer during an earthquake.

Emily Threlkeld

1/22/2013 10:40:42 pm

I learned that stable ground and base isolation minimized the damage of the building. Base isolation absorbed the shock waves which helped it to keep standing. Stable ground is the best foundation because it is strong and sturdy.

Abigail

1/22/2013 10:42:17 pm

I learned that you should build your building on a solid stable foundation,so that if a earthquake was to come it would not fall as quickly.

sam glissom

1/22/2013 10:42:23 pm

i learned that the land has a lot to do with the damage and the size of the earthquake if the land is stable and the quake is a big one the is much less then if u where on a fault line

Wes Purcell

1/24/2013 10:00:30 am

I agree but you did not put your type of foundation. Base foundation seems to be the best to me

DAKE (THE BEAST )DIXON

1/22/2013 10:42:41 pm

If you want to have a strong home or building ,its best that you have good solid ground and have srtong anchors other wise your building or home will crumble.I learned you should have a combanation of these things.

Wes Purcell

1/22/2013 10:43:45 pm

Stable and base foundation. When it is stable with base foundation the building moves with the land making damage and fatalities much less. If it is a superquake the structure really doesnt matter.

jeffrey young

1/24/2013 03:54:36 am

i agree cause a stable place is very important

Isabella Williams

1/22/2013 10:43:58 pm

I learned that solid, stable ground is the best to build on. Base insolation is the best prevention to use because it makes less shock to the building. other ground is not firm enough for an earthquake and other preventions do not help as much.

Emma Dasher

1/23/2013 10:01:32 pm

I like your comment Isabella! I agree with everything you said! I think a solid ground is the best ground to have during a earthquake, it keeps the building safer and stabler.

Kort Kennedy

1/22/2013 10:44:47 pm

If you build it on soild foundation the earthquake will not be as bad.If you build it on soft ground the damage will be worse.

Megan Kinsey

1/24/2013 06:03:15 am

Kort, it also depends on how stable and well built the building is. If the building is not stable when the earthquake hits it is pointless, but I do agree with you on the ground must be stable also.

Ridge Bradley

1/24/2013 09:47:32 am

I agree, but Kort you could have put little more description about how stable your building will be or if it will be anchored to the ground or not.

kaleb shuman

1/22/2013 10:45:43 pm

The superquake was really damaging against the loose gravel and all the other quakes did little to no damage solid stable ground would be the best kind of ground an prevention is based isolation.

jeffrey young

1/22/2013 10:45:53 pm

the solid,stable ground seemed more protective and secure than other wet loose ground

~Haley Bowen~

1/22/2013 10:46:29 pm

I learned that even though you have a good foundation you still will have damage,but the best prevention is the base isolation. It holds up more of the building during a superquake than any other prevention. the best ground to put your building on is stable soil. It will hold up better than wet soil.

Matt Griner

1/22/2013 10:46:43 pm

I learned that earthquakes can still do damage even if you you have a strong, sturdy foundation or not. Around water is probably the worst place for a earthquake to happen because then it could turn into a tsunami.

Taylor Sapp(:

1/22/2013 10:50:17 pm

I learned that base isolation was best because the building is less likely to slide ,and less likely to sway and shake. Stable, solid ground was a good choice because you want more stable ground for your buildings.

Courtney Kirkland

1/23/2013 10:03:26 pm

I like your comment, Taylor. I agree with everything you put. Having a good base isolation is the best because it isn't easy or likely for the building to slide, and also less likely to sway and shake. I also agree that solid ground was a good choice because for your building to stay strong and stay up, you need it to be on a strong, sturdy ground.

Ridge Bradley

1/22/2013 11:00:52 pm

I learned that you always need to build something on strong, stable, solid ground with a strong base to the structure. Earthquakes can cause damage even if the srtucture is built on a very sturdy, strong foundation.

Matt Griner

1/24/2013 10:00:03 am

i agree with you becasue strong sturdy ground is always the best

madeline thompson link

1/23/2013 12:28:17 am

I learned that stable ground and good reinforcments and foundation worked best.

Kaitlin Durrence link

1/23/2013 12:29:03 am

I learned that you need to build any building on a solid foundation. Not where it's wet or slippery and where it's basically not sturdy.:)

Alexis(:

1/23/2013 10:15:04 pm

I agree Kaitlin. This information is very helpful and wise!!(;

Madolyn Hendrix

1/23/2013 12:30:32 am

I think that if you build it on a sturdy base like concreat, and the earthquake is small then all want crack, but if it is not sturdy and wet, it will all crack and fall. And i think the best foundation is a solid and sturdy foundation.

Allison Harvey

1/23/2013 12:30:47 am

I learned even if you have a stable,strong building on stable solid groung, the size of the earthquake will determine the amount of damage no matter the structure or the land. Even though there was still some damage, i observed that the stable ground was the best choice because, you would want the stablest ground for your building.

Miranda DeLoach

1/23/2013 10:55:44 pm

I agree with having solid ground as the safest land choice, but I also think that base isolation is the best foundation. In very solid ground, anchoring the building into the ground would be better, but it doesn't work well with soft sand on the coastal areas. In general, the overall best is base isolation.

*-->Haley Bowen<--*

1/24/2013 06:19:52 am

I agree with you fully. Even though you have good ground and buildings it could still fall!

RayeAnna Strickland

1/23/2013 12:31:30 am

I learned that during an earthquake you want to be in a strong building on a stable ground.

Trey May

1/23/2013 12:31:45 am

you have to build something strong if you don't want it to get deystroyed by an earthquake.You also need to build it on soild ground.

PARKS HAGAN

1/23/2013 12:31:50 am

You need to build it on a solid foundation,and you need to build the building strong. But if the earthquake is big enough it will still destroy the building....

Alyssa Brannen :D

1/23/2013 12:33:21 am

I Learned, That For A Structure Or Foundation, You Need To Have A Strong, Stable Ground. I Chose 1, 1, & 1. It Wasn't Very Bad. It Only Had A Few Cracks. I Think I Did A Good Job. But I Would Never Be Prepared For An Actual Earthquake

~callie lane beecher~

1/23/2013 12:34:14 am

I leard that we need to build more buildings with stronger bottoms so the earthquakes don't make them fall over.:);)

Sara Durrence

1/24/2013 07:52:58 am

I agree, BUT in addition to that no matter how stong the base is, if the earthquake is strong enough, it can tear the building apart.

Ashton gambino

1/23/2013 12:34:51 am

I learned that if you still have a good foundation you will still have some minor damages to the buildings but if you have a superquake the building gets destroyed.I also learned that if you have loose gravel it will not do your supportany good.So i think the best foundation should be strong and strudy and the soil should not be loose or wet(damp) so youshould have a strong thick soil.

Lauren McNure

1/23/2013 12:36:30 am

I learned from this experiment that the place that you decide to build your building is essential. You also need a good foundation. Your foundation needs to work together with the ground so if an earthquake did occur your building will suffer as less damage as possible. I think that the best ground that you should build your biulding on would be one away from the water and a fault line. Fault lines like the San Andreas have major earthquakes that can cause millions of dollars in damage, but near the water, if an earthquke did occur, you would have damage from the earthquake and from the tsnuami that may come later.

Megan Kinsey

1/24/2013 06:06:56 am

I agree with you Lauren 100%. You explained that better than I could have. You are absolutely right about what if a tsnumai might come you always have to think about the aftwards! Very well explained.

Matthew McGlashan

1/23/2013 12:36:51 am

I learned that the superquake was the strongest earthquake that can happen. If one happens in Claxton GA the city would be destroyed because we DO NOT have a firm foundation like San Fransico. My conclusion is if you don't have a firm base when a earthquake come you will not have a house and you may DIE!!! If you don't have a good ground foundation your house will go bye bye.

Robin Salter

1/23/2013 12:37:23 am

I learned that having a strong foundation is important if an earthquake were to occur. Also, having a reinforcement, such as buildning on concrete can prevent worse damage.

Alyssa Brannen :D

1/24/2013 12:02:49 am

Well, Robin, I Agree With you. I Don't Want My House Broken Down. So You Need To Have A Very Firm Strong Foundation. That Way It Wouldn't Cause As Much Damage. Bye Now (:

Nicholas Hart

1/23/2013 12:39:05 am

Stability is a major factor in the affects or damage of an earthquake. If you build your house on a soft ground or on sandy, loose gravel area, the earthquake could completely demolish your house. In deciding where to build your house, I would recomend buildung on a heavily bedrocked area. In this area, cracking or little damage to the foundation needs to be suspected, but you always have to know that the severity or magnitude of an earthquake also has large affects on these situations.

Connor Davis

1/23/2013 12:42:59 am

I learned that if you have solid ground you wouldn't have to worry about your house and or building falling ,and then having to build them all over again. Even though if you had to rebuild your house your child could get an awesome new room!
It would be better if your building is on sturdy ground ,so then if an earthquake came you would not have to worry as much ,even though it would be very scarry!
THE END!

Madolyn Hendrix

1/23/2013 12:43:05 am

In the video there was lots of damage from the earthquake.People's cars were in deep water,buildings had fallen or were badly damaged,andpeople had no homes or had nowhere to go.It was a tradgic time for all the people that experienced this earthquake.
:(

Sully

1/24/2013 06:17:09 am

I think you hit the wrong link

levi blizzard

1/23/2013 12:46:00 am

I learned that to have a safe building you need a stong structer and a solid ground and a super quake atmagnitude at 7.0 to 9.5 is expected to lose population in populated ares

Ashton Gambino

1/24/2013 12:09:59 am

I agree because you do need a strong stucture for a bid earthequake

Zac Kumpula

1/23/2013 09:51:24 pm

I learned that you need to have a building on solid ground and you need to have a strong structure with it. The best foundation is deffinitely anchoring because it keeps the building steady and strong. The best ground is solid ground because it is firm.

Todd

1/23/2013 10:59:41 pm

Lets start this off with a fact that I learned, no matter what you do to a structure in terms of earthquake prevention, if you have a major earthquake, there is going to be some extent of damage. Our job is to decide what will be the best way to protect a building during an earthquake and prevent massive damage from occuring. In my opinion, if you have a solid ground, you are going to need a tough, sturdy structure base, because when that earthquake occurs, the ground will move, and if the ground moves, you aren't going to want to have it's structure move with it. Anchoring seems like the best way to go at preventing damage, death, and destruction in the case of an major earthquake, but if you have a tough base, you are gonna need to build it in tough ground, otherwise the earthquake will crumble the building just like as if it was a gramcracker. So, in my opinion, the best ground to build in is a hard, solid ground-type, and the best foundation is definately the anchoring base.

Matthew McGlashan

1/24/2013 08:45:12 am

I agree with you Todd. When I was doing it I figured out that the anchoring base was the most sturdiest base you could have with a catastrophic earthquake by the ocean. I also agree that you need a good foundation.

~*Courtney Coley*~

1/23/2013 11:51:17 pm

I learned that you need to have a good foundation and firm, tough ground to build buildings on. If you didnt the buildings would crumble to peices if there happened to be an earthquake. I think the best type of foundation and ground to build a building on is solid ground because its firm and tough and the best foundation is an anchoring foundation because it would prevent fires and stuff like that.

Madeline Thompson

1/23/2013 11:54:03 pm

I learned that areas where earthquakes occur buildings need stable ground and a good foundation to hold up. The farther away from coastal land and rocky ground the better, for stable ground will hold up better under the pressure of an earthquake. Anchoring the foundation into the ground is the best way to make the building stand up against the quake. Many buildings fall if you don't have a solid foundation deep in the ground.

Sara Durrence

1/23/2013 11:58:45 pm

I learned that earthquakes are more dangerous than I thought! If the ground is solid, then the base needs to be sturdy, beacuse when the earthquake happens you dont want the base to move with it. So the best foundation is an anchoring base.

Connor O'Sullivan

1/24/2013 12:01:45 am

I learned that the damage in an earthquake depends also on the power or strength of the earthquake.The buildings in an earthquake zone should be built on solid and stable ground.The building's structure should use anchoring ,to prevent the structure frim shaking, if it is in an area where earthquakes commenly occur.

Earthquake Simulator

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