K-12 Resource Guide: Pacific Northwest Seismograph Network: Seismology Lab

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Pacific Northwest Seismograph Network: Seismology Lab

Serves the public as an earth sciences information center
Department of Earth and Space Sciences

Description:	The Department of Earth and Space Sciences is home to the Pacific Northwest Seismograph Network (PNSN), an array of about 200 seismograph stations located throughout Washington and Oregon. The data from these instruments is telemetered in real time to the Seismology Lab at the University of Washington where it is analyzed. All earthquakes are located and measured. The PNSN locates about three thousand events each year and automatically notifies emergency managers of all events large enough to be felt. The network also closely monitors seismicity below the Cascade volcanoes, serving as an early warning system to detect changes which could lead to eruptive activity. Educational Outreach Activities In addition to its research and emergency management functions, the Seismology Lab serves the public as an earth sciences information center. Faculty, staff and students from Earth and Space Sciences, related departments, and the U.S. Geological Survey Seattle Field Office housed at the UW participate in a wide variety of educational outreach programs coordinated by the Seismology Lab. These programs have included school-based career and science fairs, day and evening lectures, participation in PTA-sponsored emergency preparedness activities and programs, and supplying educational materials for classroom use. There are some curriculum materials available to teachers to photocopy and use in the classroom. The faculty and staff are also available to advise K-12 teachers who are developing curriculum based on information gathered from Earth and Space Sciences and the PNSN.
Subject Area:	Architecture and Urban Planning, Computers and Technology, Engineering, Sciences
Type of Resource:	Curriculum Resource (guides, materials, staff support), Library, Speaker, Presentation, Visit, Tour, Field Trip, Tutoring, Workshop
Target Population:	Teachers, Students, Classrooms, schools, Administrator
Grade:	K through 12
When Offered:	Year-round
Location:	On-site at school, UW Seattle campus
Fee:	None
Web Page:	http://www.pnsn.org
Contact Information:	Bill Steele Dept. of Eart and Space Sciences PNSN Seismology Lab Box 351310 Seattle, WA 98195-1310 Telephone: 206-685-8180 Fax: (206) 543-0489 seis_info@ess.washington.edu Bill Steele Department of Earth and Space Sciences PNSN Seismology Lab Box 351310 Seattle, WA 98195-1310 Telephone: (206) 685-8180 Fax: (206) 543-0489 bill@ess.washington.edu If you are the contact person listed for this resource and would like to change its attributes, please fill out the online change form.