Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Measuring the Earth's Core With Seismic Waves
When an earthquake occurs, seismic shock waves travel out through the earth from the source of the event. The shock waves travel through the earth (body waves), or along the Earth's surface (surface waves), and can be recorded at remote...
Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology
Iris: Seismic Wave Behavior: Direct vs. Critically Refracted Graphed
Examine the behavior of seismic waves. This graph illustrates direct and critically refracted waves.
Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology
Iris: Seismic Waves Viewer
Visualize the propagation of seismic waves from historic earthquakes through Earth's interior and around its surface.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Shake It Up! Engineering for Seismic Waves
Students learn about how engineers design and build shake tables to test the ability of buildings to withstand the various types of seismic waves generated by earthquakes. Just like engineers, students design and build shake tables to...
Other
Nevada Seismological Laboratory: Seismic Waves
This resource describes the two different types of seismic waves and how they travel through the earth, offers diagrams of the waves, their speeds, and how seismograms are used to locate earthquakes.
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Seismic Waves
Basic definitions and characteristics of the different wave types, diagrams, and speeds of the waves. Has links to information on seismology, earthquakes, and plate tectonics.
Other
Matter Project: Seismic Waves
Seismic waves are studied to better understand the ground beneath us, the layers of Earth and points of interest for earthquakes. Better understand the types of waves, what substances they may travel through and how, and gain a clearer...
Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology
Iris: Human Wave: Modeling Seismic Waves in the Classroom
A demo of how can we model seismic waves in the classroom. [8:27]
PBS
Wnet: Thirteen: Savage Earth: Earthquake!
This animation shows the movement of seismic waves as they moved from Bolivia to San Juan Puerto Rico during a 1994 earthquake.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Seismic Waves From Earthquakes
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] The signs scientists might see prior to an earthquake occurring.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Seismic Waves Study Guide
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] This study guide summarizes key points about types of seismic waves. Includes a few questions to check for understanding.
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: The Faultline/seismic Slinky
A lesson plan for investigating longitudinal waves by use of a Slinky toy. Directions, questions, and applications to seismic waves are provided.
Other
Digital Library for Earth System Education: Teaching Box: Earthquake Country
A suite of lessons focusing on all aspects of earthquakes. Inquiry-based exploration of earthquakes includes measuring seismic waves, predicting earthquakes, investigating magnitude and intensity, mapping fault lines, and evaluating...
Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology
Iris: Seismic Wave Motions
Four animations showing the movements of surface waves and body waves that are created by earthquakes. Includes P, S, Rayleigh, and Love waves.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Plix: Alaskan Earthquake: Seismic Waves
[Free Registration/Login Required] A site that diagrams what happens if a major earthquake occurs over Alaska. A short quiz over the topic is also included.
Other
Tulane University: Earthquakes and Earth's Interior
College instructor's notes on seismology includes earthquake origins, seismic waves, risks and damage assessments, and other information about the interior structure of the Earth.
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Faultline: P and S Waves
The different types of earthquake waves are discussed and illustrated. Features geologist video clip.
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Earthquake on the Playground
In this experiment, students go outside and create a simulation of P and S waves traveling across a 30-meter span. This is repeated using a 30-meter square. They experiment with P and S wave behavior, record results, and use...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Mechanical Waves: Interactive Lesson
Learn about mechanical waves, which transfers energy from one place to another through liquids, gases and solids, with this interactive lesson.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Being P Waves and S Waves
In this lesson students develop a good understanding of different kinds of seismic waves and their effects.
Purdue University
Purdue University: An S and P Wave Travel Time Simulation
A classroom simulation modeling how earthquake waves travel through Earth at different speeds. A graph is constructed to demonstrate the relationship between the distance and time of travel of seismic waves, and then used to locate the...
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Plix: Earthquake: Earth's Interior
[Free Registration/Login Required] A look inside the Earth to see what happens as an earthquake propagates through it. Also on the site is a short quiz based on seismic waves.
Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology
Iris: Walk Run: Locating an Earthquake Using Triangulation
Roll over the seismic stations to see earthquake epicenters triangulated. Touch buttons to watch movies of seismic waves.
Scholastic
Scholastic: Study Jams! Science: Landforms, Rocks & Minerals: Earthquakes
A video and a short multiple-choice quiz on earthquakes, how they form, how they are measured, and the ways they can change the surface of the Earth.