Shake, Rattle &

Roll Earthquake
Project
The Experiment
 What effects do the three types of waves
associated with an earthquake have on a
structure? (Research)

P Waves

The Ask S Waves

Surface Waves
Define the problem
Do your research How do we build and retrofit buildings and
structures to withstand the effects of
earthquake damage? (Research)

Construct a structure with the materials that you are

given (Defined Problem)
Earthquakes and the destruction they cause
Northridge, CA
January 17, 1994
6.7
4:30 am

6.7 magnitude

Highest ground acceleration ever

recorded in North America

Felt as far as Las Vegas, NV (220 miles)

Lasted 10-20 seconds

57 people died, 8,700 injured

$13-40 billion worth in damage Cal State University, Northridge parking structure
Muisne, Ecuador
April 16, 2016
7.8
6:58 pm

7.8 magnitude (severe)

Felt in Colombia and Peru

13,500 military/police officials deployed to

help with relief efforts (state of
emergency)

55 aftershocks in 24 hours (6.2)

676 people died, 16,600 injured

$3 billion worth in damage

Central Italy
August 2016
October 2016
January 2017
August 24, 2016 Followed by:

6.2 magnitude (largest in 30 5.5 magnitude earthquake on

years) October 30, 2016

Central Italy (Umbria) Completely destroyed the village

of Arquata del Tronto (founded
238 people pulled from rubble during Roman times with
alive landmarks from the 6th century)

299 people died, 365 injured 5.3 magnitude earthquake on

January 18, 2017
$6-11 billion worth in damage
Followed by a 5.7, 5.6 and 5.2
Cultural damage: Baths of aftershock within 4 hours
Caracalla (Rome) cracked and
church of SantAgostino The earthquakes caused an
damaged avalanche in Gran Sasso
mountains killing 30 people
Retrofit - but anti-seismic
measures and reports were
faked
Barpak, Gorkha, Nepal
April 25, 2015
8.1
11:56 am

8.1 magnitude (violent)

Triggered an avalanche on Mount Everest, killing 21

people (deadliest day in history on the mountain)

Almost 3.5 million people were made homeless -

entire villages flattened
Dozens of Christian, Hindu, and Buddhist temples
Aftershock of 7.3 were destroyed

Sudden thrust of more than 3m (10 ft) in less than Tourist revenue on Mount Everest was impacted
30 seconds due to the earthquake and avalanche - closing the
mountain for the first time in more than 40 years
9,000 people died, 22,000 injured

$5 billion worth in damage