In this video, we demonstrate a simple and effective Earthquake Simulation and Seismograph Working Model for science exhibitions and projects!
Watch how a vibrating platform simulates an earthquake and how a basic hanging cup seismograph records the tremors with zig-zag lines on paper. Perfect for school science fairs, physics projects, or earthquake-related demonstrations.
Learn how earthquakes shake structures and how scientists record them using seismographs. Easy to make using basic materials like a DC motor, cardboard, paper cup, and a sketch pen!
Earthquake Simulation Setup
You will create a platform that shakes like an earthquake!
Materials:
- A wooden/corrugated cardboard platform (around 30×30 cm)
- 4 springs (small to medium size) OR rubber bands or waste sketch pens on bottom
- Small DC motor with an eccentric (off-center) weight
- Battery (9V) and battery holder
- Switch
- Wires
- Hot glue, tape
- Cardboard houses or Lego buildings for demo
How to Build:
- Build the platform:
- Attach the 4 springs (or rubber bands) or waste sketch pens under the platform at four corners, fixing them onto a bigger baseboard.
- This lets the top platform move freely, like shaking during an earthquake.
- Attach the motor:
- Fix a small DC motor on the underside of the platform.
- Attach a small piece of clay, a washer, or any small weight off-center on the motor shaft.
- When the motor spins, the off-balance weight causes vibration, simulating an earthquake.
- Connect wiring:
- Connect the motor to the battery and switch. When you switch it ON, the platform will vibrate!
- Place mini houses:
- Make simple houses with cardboard or Lego bricks and place them on the platform.
- When you turn ON the motor, they will shake or fall, showing earthquake effect!
Seismograph Model
You will now build a simple seismograph to record the “earthquake”!
Materials:
- A plastic cup or paper cup
- String
- Sketch pen/marker
- A roll of paper (or a long strip of paper)
- Stand (could be a cardboard or wooden frame)
- Tape, glue
How to Build:
- Create the pen holder:
- Hang a paper cup using strings from a sturdy stand.
- Punch two holes in opposite sides of the cup, tie strings, and suspend it.
- Insert the marker:
- Insert a sketch pen through a small hole in the bottom of the cup.
- The pen tip should just touch a moving paper roll placed below.
- Paper roll:
- Roll a long sheet of paper and slowly pull it by hand (or create a very simple rolling setup with rollers if you want).
- How it works:
- When the platform shakes (earthquake), the hanging cup swings.
- The pen moves, drawing zig-zag lines on the paper — just like a real seismograph!
- Place the seismograph setup on the shaking platform.
- Switch ON the motor to simulate an earthquake.
- Watch the seismograph record the tremors as wave patterns on the paper!