Energy from Earthquakes

Geo sciences

Geoscientists investigate explanations for what causes earthquakes and define methods to characterize the behavior of earthquakes. Potential energy in the earth’s plates builds of many years. This energy often is quickly released causing kinetic energy to ripple through the earth’s crust and core. The amount of energy can vary and when its large enough we can see the ground move and large waves form in the oceans. Geoscientists have defined ways to measure this motion and describe it in such detail that we know how explain how big, how fast and in what direction the ground is moving.   These scientists put sensor all over the world so we can better understand the patterns in this ground movement. Their goals are not only to explain and predict earthquakes, but they also want to know generate data that engineers and other scientists can use to build fabulous cities with large buildings and homes to live and work in.   Learn more about geoscientists and the work they do by visiting the sites of partners with NEES –

Ground and Water Motion

GeoTechnology and GeoMechanics

Geotechnologists explore the properties and characteristics of soil and water. Physical experiments are often used to measure properties of soil and water under various load conditions. These researchers can use this data to develop complex models that predict the behavior of soil and water.   They use the NEES test facilities to conduct these experiments and collect the data. For example, the scientists have mobile equipment they take out into the field which allows them to shake the ground and them detect its initial movement. Using physics and mathematics they can determine such things as the density of the soil, the various layers in the soil. At the University of Texas at Austin they have a trucks they call Thumper and TRex to produce the large scale forces need to shake the ground.

Other scientists want to measure and observe the behavior of soils far beneath to surface of the earth.   Digging miles beneath the surface is not practical. Therefore, they can simulate the forces at these depths using centrifuges. By using the concepts of centrifugal force described by physics, geomechanical specialists can conduct many interesting experiments on soils to determine physical properties such as density, strength and movement under various loading conditions.

You can learn more about geotechnology by visiting affiliates of NEES centrifuge labs –