← Geography & Earth
EARTH EXPEDITIONS / FIELD STATION 01

Seismic Wave Lab

Use wave-arrival evidence to reason about earthquake distance.

YOUR FIELD PASSPORT0 / 12Junior explorer
SIGNAL DETECTIVEPredict. Experiment. Collect evidence.+1 FIELD BADGE
Live instrument displayREADY TO EXPLORE
STATION 01 / VERTICAL RECORD0s20s40s60s80s100s120s140s160sRun the recorder to reveal the arrivals.160 simulated seconds / 10 playback seconds
P-wave speed6 km/s
S-wave speed3.5 km/s
S − P intervalAwaiting record
0%
Time and visual scale are accelerated for exploration. Read the model assumptions below.
YOUR NEXT EXPEDITION

12 ways to explore a changing planet

Free online interactive learning

Seismic Wave Lab: experiment guide

This browser-based earth lab helps you use wave-arrival evidence to reason about earthquake distance. Designed for Grades 6–10, it turns an abstract idea into a model you can control, measure, reset, and test without signing up.

What you can investigate

Explore P-waves, S-waves, distance, arrival time by changing the available controls and comparing the model’s visual and numerical evidence. Try one variable at a time, then combine changes to test a stronger explanation.

P-wavesS-wavesdistancearrival time

How to use this simulation

  1. 1Read the mission and make a prediction before moving a control.
  2. 2Change one variable so its effect is easier to identify.
  3. 3Run the model and record a value, pattern, or visible change.
  4. 4Reset, test a different setup, and explain the result from evidence.

For students, teachers, and independent study

A typical investigation takes 6–12 min. Use it as a lesson demonstration, a guided inquiry activity, a homework experiment, or a quick review. The simulation runs in a modern web browser and does not require an account.

Level
Intermediate
Time
6–12 min
Format
Earth lab

Common questions

What does the Seismic Wave Lab teach?

Use wave-arrival evidence to reason about earthquake distance. The main ideas are P-waves, S-waves, distance, arrival time.

Is the Seismic Wave Lab free to use?

Yes. You can run the simulation online for free without creating an account.

How long does the activity take?

Most learners can complete one investigation in 6–12 min. You can repeat it to compare more variables or improve your explanation.