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.
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.
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.
Other
Digital Library for Earth System Education: Living in Earthquake Country
An inquiry unit that teaches learners about the how and why earthquakes cause damage and about life in earthquake country. Students specifically learn about: earthquake damage, where earthquake occur, earthquake patterns, seismic waves,...
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...
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: 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: Human Wave: Modeling Seismic Waves in the Classroom
A demo of how can we model seismic waves in the classroom. [8:27]
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...
Georgia Department of Education
Ga Virtual Learning: Earthquakes and the Earth's Interior
In this interactive tutorial you will learn about earthquakes and seismic waves. Learn about why and how these form and also discuss the hazards - direct and indirect - posed by earthquakes. You will then learn how our knowledge of...
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.
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.
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.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Being P Waves and S Waves
For this lesson students develop a good understanding of different kinds of seismic waves and their effects.
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.
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.
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...
Sophia Learning
Sophia: Earthquakes
A quick, introductory lesson about how earthquakes happen, and what impact these natural events have on life.
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...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Set Your Table for a Sweet and Sticky Earthquake Shake
Earthquakes can have different affects depending on their location. This week long exercise asks you to build a model house and a special table to shake it on, and see how different soil types can amplify shaking.
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.