Saturday, May 9, 2026
Do you know what seismology is? It’s the science of EARTHQUAKES!
Get ready to shake things up as we explore the science of earthquakes! In this hands-on session, we will simulate your own earthquake, test how buildings stand up to the shaking, and discover what causes liquefaction. We will also explore how the Earthquake Early Warning system helps keep people safe from one of the program’s very own scientists!
Time
Ages 7-12: 8 am PT • 9 am MT • 10 am CT • 11 am ET • 12 pm AT
Ages 13-17: 10 am PT • 11 am MT • 12 pm CT • 1 pm ET • 2 pm AT
Materials and Preparation
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2 large hardcover books of roughly equal size
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4 marbles or bouncy balls (all of equal size)
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2 extra-large rubber bands or 8 regular-sized rubber bands
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10 sugar cubes, starbursts, caramels, or other cube-shaped/similar-sized item
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Toothpicks (25-30)
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Mini marshmallows or gummy bears
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Cling wrap or aluminum foil
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1 rock/stone small enough to fit in your cup
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2 pencils
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1 ping-pong ball
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1 plastic or paper cup
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1 cup of rice or sand
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Water
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¼ measuring cup
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Ruler
Meet the Expert
Alison Bird
Alison Bird began her work as earthquake seismologist in 1997 with the International Seismological Centre in England, returning to Vancouver Island in 2000 to work with the Geological Survey of Canada (where she had done her graduate work). For 20 years Alison analysed western Canadian earthquakes, then joined the new Earthquake Early Warning programme in 2020. Alison routinely responds in the wake significant earthquakes (having given over 1,000 interviews and visiting Haida Gwaii after their magnitude 7.8 earthquake in 2012), and is involved in numerous outreach activities, is passionate about earthquake-resistant engineering, and encourages earthquakes preparedness.
This programming was developed by Alison Bird and Mikaela Moore.
