Seismic Wave Propagation Simulator

MS-ESS2-1: How seismic waves reveal Earth's interior

How to Use This Simulation
  1. Adjust the controls to change simulation variables
  2. Click Start to run Seismic Wave Propagation Simulator - G7 C6 W4
  3. Observe the results in the display area
  4. Click Reset to try different settings
  5. Complete the Predict-Observe-Explain section below

Keyboard: Space/Enter = start/pause · R = reset · Esc = pause

How to Use This Simulation

  1. Click anywhere on Earth's surface to trigger an earthquake at that location
  2. Watch P-waves (blue) travel through ALL layers - they move faster
  3. Watch S-waves (red) - they STOP at the liquid outer core!
  4. Observe the shadow zone (103-150 degrees) where no S-waves arrive
  5. Check the seismograph readings at stations around the world
  6. Toggle waves on/off to see each type individually
Click on Earth's surface to start!
Inner Core (Solid) Outer Core (LIQUID) Mantle (Solid) Crust 0 km 70 km 2,900 km 5,150 km 6,371 km S-Wave Shadow Zone
P-Waves (Primary)
Travel through solids AND liquids
S-Waves (Secondary)
ONLY travel through solids
Slow Fast

Earth's Layers

Crust (0-70 km) - Solid
Mantle (70-2,900 km) - Solid
Outer Core (2,900-5,150 km) - LIQUID
Inner Core (5,150-6,371 km) - Solid

Key Discovery

S-waves STOP at the outer core!

This proves the outer core is LIQUID (S-waves can't travel through liquids).

The "shadow zone" (103-150 degrees from earthquake) receives no direct S-waves.

Seismograph Stations Around the World

Station 1
0° from epicenter
Waiting...
Station 2
45° from epicenter
Waiting...
Station 3
90° from epicenter
Waiting...
Station 4
120° (Shadow Zone)
Waiting...
Station 5
150° (Shadow Zone Edge)
Waiting...
Station 6
180° (Opposite side)
Waiting...

Key Insight

Click on Earth's surface to trigger an earthquake and watch how seismic waves reveal the planet's hidden layers!

Data Journal — Record & Analyze Your Experiments
#Animation speedObservation

Record Your Observations

As you explore Seismic Wave Propagation G7 C6 W4, record what you notice:

  1. Starting conditions: What are the initial settings?
  2. Changes: What happens when you adjust the variables?
  3. Patterns: Do you notice any patterns or relationships?
  4. Evidence: What specific data supports your observations?

Predict • Observe • Explain

Predict

Before running the simulation, predict: what do you think will happen to Seismic Wave Propagation G7 C6 W4 when you change the variables?

Observe

Run the simulation with different settings. Record the patterns and relationships you see.

Explain

Compare your observations with your prediction. Use scientific vocabulary to explain why Seismic Wave Propagation G7 C6 W4 behaves this way.

Key Concepts

Variables

Changing one variable while controlling others helps us isolate cause and effect in Seismic Wave Propagation - G7 C6 W4.

Patterns

Look for repeatable patterns in the data — they reveal the underlying scientific principles.

Models

This simulation is a model — a simplified representation that helps us understand Seismic Wave Propagation - G7 C6 W4.