======Soil Liquefaction and Earthquakes======


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**Alternative titles:** Shaking Soils Activity
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====Summary====                   
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====Procedure====  
  -Form a hypothesis about which soil type will resist liquefaction best.
  -Fill three shoebox-sized containers two-thirds full, one with sand, one with topsoil, and one with peat.
  -Build a model “house” from Lego or other construction materials (about 8 cm x 10 cm).
  -Add 1 liter of water to the first soil container (topsoil).
  -Place the Lego house on top of the soil, then set the container inside a larger bin to allow shaking.
  -Measure the height of the house from the soil surface to the roofline.
  -With a partner, shake the larger bin side to side for 40 seconds without lifting it off the surface.
  -Observe how the soil and house behave during and after shaking.
  -Re-measure the house height and note any tilting, sinking, or shifting.
  -Repeat twice more for the same soil, then test sand and peat in the same way.
  -Record results in a data table and calculate averages.



====Links==== 
Liquefaction In Action - GeoscienceAustralia: 
{{youtube>UUHzyqKfTEo?}}\\

Demonstrate Liquefaction | Shaky Sediments - Science Snack Activity - 
Exploratorium Teacher Institute: 
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📄 Liquefaction - Earth Science Week: [[https://www.earthsciweek.org/resources/classroom-activities/liquefaction/]]\\


====Variations====
  *Use houses of different weights to test whether heavier loads affect sinking.
  *Change the amount of water added to see how saturation influences liquefaction.
  *Experiment with soil mixtures (for example, sand mixed with clay).
  *Try adding gravel or other stabilizers to see if they reduce shifting.



====Safety Precautions====
  *Protect surfaces with a mat or tray to prevent scratching from sand grains.
  *Handle containers carefully to avoid spills of soil or water.
  *Wash hands after handling soil.
  *Do not eat or put hands near the face during the experiment.




====Questions to Consider====
  *How did each soil behave while being shaken? (Peat often compresses, sand may liquefy, topsoil may provide more stability.)
  *Which soil caused the house to sink the most? Why?
  *Which soil type provided the best stability for the house? (Likely topsoil, depending on water content.)
  *What real-world implications does liquefaction have for buildings during earthquakes? (Foundations may shift or collapse.)
  *How do engineers reduce liquefaction risk in construction? (By using deep foundations, soil compaction, or ground improvement techniques.)