Earthquake Science Experiment

What Causes Earthquakes?

The Earth’s surface is made up of tectonic plates that float on a semi-liquid layer called the mantle. These plates move slowly, but when they collide, slide past each other, or grind together, they create earthquakes. Earthquakes can be of different magnitudes, resulting in varying damage.

The energy from an earthquake travels as seismic waves, shaking the ground. 

Different soils respond differently to these seismic waves:

• Soft soils (e.g., sand) amplify shaking.
• Liquefaction occurs when loose, water-saturated soil behaves like a liquid during shaking, causing buildings to tilt or sink.

Using simple materials, this experiment will demonstrate how different surfaces and building designs impact stability during an earthquake.

Grade Level: 3rd–6th Grade
Focus Areas: Earth Science, Geology, Engineering
Skills Practiced: Observation, Hypothesis Testing, Scientific Method, Hands-On Exploration

Earthquake Materials List:

Note: You will see optional materials on the list for setting up various experiments which I have outlined below.

• Wax paper
• Square candies (e.g., Starburst)
• Cornstarch
• Water
• Baking pan
• Large tray
• Marbles
• Peanut butter (or sunflower butter for allergy-friendly options)
• Optional: Sand, gravel, dirt (testing variables)
• Optional: Marshmallows and toothpicks (testing variables)
• Optional: LEGO bricks (testing variables)

Earthquake Activity Instructions:

Can you design earthquake-proof structures? Scientists and civil engineers work together to make this happen.

Step 1: Prepare the Earthquake Surface

• Mix 2 cups of cornstarch with 1 cup of water to create an oobleck mixture.
• Pour the mixture into a baking pan.

Step 2: Build the Structure

• Cut a piece of wax paper and spread a thin layer of peanut butter onto it.
• Choose a building material (e.g., LEGO bricks, marshmallows, or candy blocks).
• Build a small tower, house, or bridge structure on wax paper.

Step 3: Create the Earthquake Platform

• Place marbles in a large tray.
• Set the baking pan filled with oobleck on top of the marbles.

Step 4: Test the Structure During an Earthquake

• Carefully place your wax paper with the building on top of the oobleck mixture.
• Gently shake the tray to simulate an earthquake.
• Observe what happens to your structure.

Did it tilt, sink, or collapse? How did the material or surface impact stability?

What Happens During an Earthquake?

Have you ever wondered what happens to buildings during an earthquake? Beneath our feet lies a dynamic world of rock, sand, and shifting tectonic plates. This hands-on earthquake science experiment allows kids to model how buildings behave on different types of surfaces during seismic activity.

This earthquake simulation activity combines science, engineering, and geology to introduce key concepts like tectonic plate movement, seismic waves, and soil liquefaction. Students will test different variables, observe cause-and-effect relationships, and think critically about building stability.

Let’s dive into the science behind earthquakes and build mini earthquake models to explore how structures react to seismic shaking!

Exploring Variables in Your Earthquake Experiment

💡 Learn more about variables in science here.

1. Testing Soil Type (Independent Variable)

Question: How does the type of surface affect the stability of a building during an earthquake?

• Independent Variable: Soil Type (Oobleck, Dry Sand, Gravel, Solid Surface)
• Controlled Variables: Building material (e.g., LEGO bricks), building design (e.g., tall tower), shaking intensity (e.g., medium shaking).
• Dependent Variable: Observation of stability (e.g., tilt, time to collapse, damage level).

2. Testing Building Material (Independent Variable)

Question: How does the material used to build a structure affect its stability during an earthquake?

• Independent Variable: Building Material (Candy Blocks, Marshmallows, LEGO Bricks)
• Controlled Variables: Soil type (e.g., Oobleck), building design (e.g., tall tower), shaking intensity (e.g., medium shaking).
• Dependent Variable: Observation of stability (e.g., tilt, time to collapse, damage level).

3. Testing Shaking Intensity (Independent Variable)

Question: How does the intensity of shaking affect building stability?

• Independent Variable: Shaking Intensity (Low, Medium, High)
• Controlled Variables: Soil type (e.g., Oobleck), building material (e.g., LEGO Bricks), building design (e.g., tall tower).
• Dependent Variable: Observation of stability (e.g., tilt, time to collapse, damage level).

Reflection Questions

1. Which soil type provided the most stability?
2. Which building material performed best?
3. How did shaking intensity impact building collapse?

More Fun Geology Activities

When you finish this earthquake activity, why not explore more earth science with one of the ideas below? You can find all our earth science activities here!

• Learn all about volcanoes and make one!
• Make your own tasty sedimentary rock to explore geology.
• Explore the stages of the rock cycle with a crayon rock cycle or candy rock cycle!
• Why not grow sugar crystals or make edible geodes!
• Explore the layers of soil with simple LEGO bricks or make an edible soil layers model.
• Explore soil erosion for kids.
• Make a playdough layers of the earth model.
• Make this fun tectonic plates model.
• Learn about how fossils are formed.

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