• Visit
    • Calendar
    • After Dark Thursdays
    • Buy Tickets
    • Exhibits
    • Museum Galleries
    • Artworks on View
    • Hours
    • Getting Here
    • Visitor FAQ
    • Event Rentals
  • Education
    • Professional Development Programs
    • Free Educator Workshops
    • Tools for Teaching and Learning
    • Learning About Learning
    • Community Programs
    • Educator Newsletter
  • Explore
    • Browse by Subject
    • Activities
    • Video
    • Exhibits
    • Apps
    • Blogs
    • Websites
  • About Us
    • Our Story
    • Partnerships
    • Global Collaborations
    • Explore Our Reach
    • Arts at the Exploratorium
    • Contact Us
  • Join + Support
    • Donate Today!
    • Membership
    • Join Our Donor Community
    • Engage Your Business
    • Attend a Fundraiser
    • Explore Our Reach
    • Thank You to Our Supporters
    • Donor & Corporate Member FAQ
    • Host Your Event
    • Volunteer
  • Store
  • Visit
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Calendar
      • Today
      • This Week
      • Online
      • After Dark Thursday Nights
      • Arts
      • Conferences
      • Cinema Arts
      • Free + Community Events
      • Fundraising Events
      • Kids + Families
      • Members
      • Highlighted Artworks + Exhibits
      • Special Hours
      • Private Event Closures
    • Prices
    • Hours
    • Getting Here
    • Museum Map
    • Reduced Rates & Community Day
    • Accessibility
    • Tips for Visiting with Kids
    • How to Exploratorium
    • Exhibits
    • Tactile Dome
    • Artworks on View
    • Cinema Arts
    • Kanbar Forum
    • Black Box
    • Museum Galleries
      • Bernard and Barbro Osher Gallery 1: Human Phenomena
        • Tactile Dome
          • 1971 Press Release
        • Black Box
        • Curator Statement
      • Gallery 2: Tinkering
        • Curator Statement
      • Bechtel Gallery 3: Seeing & Reflections
        • Curator Statement
      • Gordon and Betty Moore Gallery 4: Living Systems
        • Curator Statement
      • Gallery 5: Outdoor Exhibits
        • Curator Statement
      • Fisher Bay Observatory Gallery 6: Observing Landscapes
        • Wired Pier Environmental Field Station
        • Curator Statement
    • Restaurant & Café
    • School Field Trips
      • Getting Here
        • Bus Routes for Field Trips and Other Groups
      • Admission and Tickets
      • Planning Guide
      • Reservations
        • Field Trip Request Form
      • Resources
    • Event Rentals
      • Full Facility & Gallery Bundles
      • Fisher Bay Observatory Gallery & Terrace
      • Moore East Gallery
      • Bechtel Central Gallery & Outdoor Gallery
      • Osher West Gallery
      • Kanbar Forum

      • Weddings
      • Proms and School Events
      • Daytime Meetings, Events, & Filmings

      • Rentals FAQ
      • Event Planning Resources
      • Rental Request Form
      • Download Brochure (pdf)
    • Groups / Tour Operators
      • Group Visit Request Form
    • Exploratorium Store
    • Contact Us
  • Education
    • Black Teachers and Students Matter
    • Professional Development Programs
      • Free Educator Workshops
      • Professional Learning Partnerships
      • Teacher Institute
        • About the Teacher Institute
        • Summer Institute for Teachers
        • Teacher Induction Program
        • Leadership Program
        • Teacher Institute Research
        • CA NGSS STEM Conferences
          • NGSS STEM Conference 2020
        • Science Snacks
          • Browse by Subject
          • Special Collections
          • Science Snacks A-Z
          • NGSS Planning Tools
          • Frequently Asked Questions
        • Digital Teaching Boxes
        • Meet the Teacher Institute Staff
        • Resources for Supporting Science Teachers
      • Institute for Inquiry
        • What Is Inquiry?
        • Watch and Do Science
        • Inquiry-based Science and English Language Development
          • Educators Guide
            • Conceptual Overview
              • Science Talk
              • Science Writing
            • Classroom Video Gallery
              • Magnet Investigation
              • Snail Investigation
            • Teacher Professional Development
            • Project Studies
            • Acknowledgments
          • Conference: Exploring Science and English Language Development
            • Interviews with Participants
            • Plenary Sessions
            • Synthesis, Documentation, and Resources
        • Workshops
          • Participant Portal
          • Fundamentals of Inquiry
            • Summary Schedule
          • BaySci Science Champions Academy
          • Facilitators Guides
          • Commissioned Workshops
        • Resource Library
        • Meet the IFI Staff
      • Resources for California Educators
      • K-12 Science Leader Network
      • Resources for Supporting Science Teachers
      • Field Trip Explainer Program
      • Cambio
    • Tools for Teaching and Learning
      • Learning Toolbox
      • Science Snacks
      • Digital Teaching Boxes
      • Science Activities
      • Tinkering Projects
      • Recursos gratuitos para aprender ciencias
      • Videos
      • Exhibits
      • Publications
      • Apps
      • Educator Newsletter
      • Exploratorium Websites
    • Educator Newsletter
    • Advancing Ideas about Learning
      • Visitor Research and Evaluation
        • What we do
        • Reports & Publications
        • Projects
        • Who we are
      • Center for Informal Learning in Schools
    • Community Programs
      • High School Explainer Program
      • Xtech
      • Community Educational Engagement
      • California Tinkering Afterschool Network
        • About
        • Partners
        • Resources
        • News & Updates
        • Further Reading
  • Explore
    • Browse by Subject
      • Arts
      • Astronomy & Space Sciences
        • Planetary Science
        • Space Exploration
      • Biology
        • Anatomy & Physiology
        • Ecology
        • Evolution
        • Genetics
        • Molecular & Cellular Biology
        • Neuroscience
      • Chemistry
        • Combining Matter
        • Food & Cooking
        • Materials & Matter
        • States of Matter
      • Data
        • Data Collection & Analysis
        • Modeling & Simulations
        • Visualization
      • Earth Science
        • Atmosphere
        • Geology
        • Oceans & Water
      • Engineering & Technology
        • Design & Tinkering
        • Real-World Problems & Solutions
      • Environmental Science
        • Global Systems & Cycles
        • Human Impacts
      • History
      • Mathematics
      • Nature of Science
        • Measurement
        • Science as a Process
        • Size & Scale
        • Time
      • Perception
        • Light, Color & Seeing
        • Listening & Hearing
        • Optical Illusions
        • Scent, Smell & Taste
        • Tactile & Touch
      • Physics
        • Electricity & Magnetism
        • Energy
        • Heat & Temperature
        • Light
        • Mechanics
        • Quantum
        • Sound
        • Waves
      • Social Science
        • Culture
        • Language
        • Psychology
        • Sociology
    • Browse by Content Type
      • Activities
      • Blogs
        • Spectrum
          • Arts
          • Behind the Scenes
          • News
          • Education
          • Community & Collaborations
          • Science
        • Eclipse
        • Studio for Public Spaces
        • Tangents
        • Resonance See & Hear Blog
        • Fabricated Realities
        • Tinkering Studio: Sketchpad
        • Exploratorium on Tumblr
      • Exhibits
      • Video
      • Websites
      • Apps
        • Total Solar Eclipse
  • About Us
    • Our Story
    • Land Acknowledgment
    • Explore Our Reach
    • Impact Report
    • Fact Sheet
    • Awards
    • Our History
      • 50 Years 1969–2019

    • Senior Leadership
    • Board of Trustees
    • Board of Trustees Alumni
    • Staff Scientists
    • Staff Artists

    • Arts at the Exploratorium
      • Artworks on View
      • Artist-in-Residence Program
      • Cinema Arts
        • History and Collection
        • Cinema Artists-in-Residence
        • Resources and Collaborating Organizations
        • Kanbar Forum
      • Center for Art & Inquiry
        • Begin Here
          • Lessons
            • Bob Miller/Light Walk
            • Ruth Asawa/Milk Carton Sculpture
          • Workshops
      • Resonance
        • About the Series
        • See & Hear
        • Past Seasons
      • Over the Water
      • Black Box
      • Upcoming Events
      • Temporary Exhibitions
      • Arts Program Staff
    • Teacher Institute
    • Institute for Inquiry
    • Explainer Programs
    • Studio for Public Spaces
    • Exhibit Making
    • Partnerships
      • Building Global Connections
        • Global Collaborations
          • Projects
          • Approach
          • People
          • Impact
      • Partnering with Science Agencies
        • NASA
        • NOAA
      • Partnering with Educational Institutions
      • Osher Fellows

    • Job Opportunities
    • Become a Volunteer

    • Contact Info
    • Newsletter
    • Educator Newsletter
    • Blogs
    • Follow & Share
    • Press Office

    • FY20 Audit Report
    • 990 FY19 Tax Return
    • Use Policy
      • Privacy Policy
      • Intellectual Property Policy
  • Join + Support
    • Donate Today!
    • Membership
      • Membership FAQ
      • Member Benefits
      • After Dark Membership
      • Member Events
      • May Is for Members
    • Join Our Donor Community
    • Engage Your Business
      • Corporate Membership
      • Luminary Partnerships
    • Attend a Fundraiser
      • Wonder Funday
      • Science of Cocktails
      • Party at the Piers
        • Event Leadership and Host Committee
    • Explore Our Reach
    • Thank You to Our Supporters
    • Donor & Corporate Member FAQ
    • Volunteer
      • How to Apply
      • Application for Internships
      • Our Contract
      • Application for Individuals
  • Press Office
    • Press Releases
    • News Coverage
    • Events Calendar
    • Fact Sheet
    • Photographs
    • Press Video
    • Press Kits
    • Press Visits
    • Exploratorium Logos
    • Recent Awards
    • Praise for the Exploratorium
    • Join Our Press List
  • Store

Masks are required for all visitors 2+. Vaccines recommended. Plan your visit  

Visitor FAQ Buy Tickets Donate Today
Exploratorium
Exploratorium
  • Visit
    • Calendar
    • After Dark Thursdays
    • Buy Tickets
    • Exhibits
    • Museum Galleries
    • Artworks on View
    • Hours
    • Getting Here
    • Visitor FAQ
    • Event Rentals
  • Education
    • Professional Development Programs
    • Free Educator Workshops
    • Tools for Teaching and Learning
    • Learning About Learning
    • Community Programs
    • Educator Newsletter
  • Explore
    • Browse by Subject
    • Activities
    • Video
    • Exhibits
    • Apps
    • Blogs
    • Websites
  • About Us
    • Our Story
    • Partnerships
    • Global Collaborations
    • Explore Our Reach
    • Arts at the Exploratorium
    • Contact Us
  • Join + Support
    • Donate Today!
    • Membership
    • Join Our Donor Community
    • Engage Your Business
    • Attend a Fundraiser
    • Explore Our Reach
    • Thank You to Our Supporters
    • Donor & Corporate Member FAQ
    • Host Your Event
    • Volunteer
  • Store
Science Snacks
Science activity that models ground failure in a phenomenon called liquefaction
Science activity that models ground failure in a phenomenon called liquefaction
  • Science activity that models ground failure in a phenomenon called liquefaction
  • Science activity that models ground failure in a phenomenon called liquefaction

Shaky Sediments

Liquefy grounds.

This Snack models ground failure in a phenomenon called liquefaction. See what happens when you shake up structures, loose sediments, and water in a simulated earthquake.


Grade Bands: 
3-5
6-8
9-12
Subject: 
Earth Science
Geology
Engineering & Technology
Real-World Problems & Solutions
Keywords: 
earthquakes
eccentric
model
video
NGSS and EP&Cs: 
ESS
ESS3
CCCs
Cause and Effect
Systems and System Models
Energy And Matter
Stability and Change

  • Facebook logo
  • Reddit logo
  • Twitter logo


Video Demonstration


Tools and Materials

  • Large metal pan or basin is recommended, but a strong plastic container will work, too
  • Several pounds of fine-grained sand
  • Water
  • Large spoon
  • Ping-pong ball
  • Brick
  • Rubber mallet
  • Optional: battery-operated power drill or orbital sander and an offset weight

Assembly

  1. Pour sand and water together into your basin. There should be enough sand to make a layer several centimeters thick, and just enough water to soak through the sand. Mix thoroughly and adjust your mixture so that all your sand is damp with no visible puddles of water.
  2. On one side of the pan, use your spoon to scoop out a hole in the damp sand. Then place the ping-pong ball inside the hole. This will represent an underground storage tank.
  3. Cover the ping-pong ball, flattening and smoothing out the damp sand to make sure the ping-pong ball is not visible.
  4. On the other side of the pan, wiggle the skinny end of the brick into the sand so it stands up like a building would (see photo below).
  5. If desired, spread a little dry sand over the surface to give the appearance of dry ground.

To Do and Notice

Gently and repeatedly tap the side of the pan with the mallet. Notice what happens to the sand, the brick, and the ping-pong ball.


What’s Going On?

Did your brick “building” topple over? Did your ping-pong ball rise to the surface? Did the sands flow like a liquid?

Sands feel solid because grains touch and support each other. Between the sand grains are pores—empty spaces that make up to 50 percent of the volume of the sand. Often, these spaces are filled with water, called groundwater.

When loose or unconsolidated sediments are shaken, they try to settle into new positions. However, when seismic waves from an earthquake hit an area, the sand and water are rapidly compressed. This can cause the water pressure in the ground to go up significantly. Ground failure happens when this high-pressure water causes a reduction of friction between sand grains. When grain-to-grain contact is lost, sediments can flow like liquid. This phenomenon is called liquefaction.

In the case of the brick building, liquefaction causes uneven support of the brick’s base, so it topples over. As for the ping-pong ball “storage tank,” its density is less than that of the surrounding sediments. It’s held underground by the weight of the solid sediments above—until an earthquake takes place. If the sediment undergoes liquefaction, the buoyancy of the ping-pong ball causes it to float up and through the temporarily liquid sediment.


Going Further

To reset this Snack and do it again, make sure you “fluff-up,” or stir your sand with your spoon before replacing the brick or ping-pong ball. This will help loosen any sediments that have become compacted.

Another way to shake things up is to use a power tool, such as a battery-powered orbital sander or drill, which can simulate shaking at a much higher frequency. To use a battery-powered drill, find an object that fits safely and tightly into the chuck of the drill whose mass is not centered along the rotational axis of the drill, such as a PVC elbow. This offset weight will cause your drill to vibrate. Make sure everything is secure and won’t fly off while spinning. Press the battery pack of the power tool against the pan and see what happens (see photos below).

 

Do you live in an area susceptible to liquefaction? Do some research to find the geologic hazards in your neighborhood.


Teaching Tips

Entire towns, roads, buildings, cars, and people have been “swallowed” by jiggling, liquefied, uncompact sediments. Expensive underground infrastructure that is less dense than the surrounding soils, such as utilities and sewer lines, as well as storage tanks, can rise well above ground level.

Use liquefaction as an engineering challenge to see how to mitigate this potentially devastating phenomenon. Can you keep a model building upright? Can you keep an underground object underground? Is there something you can do to the sediments themselves? These are the kinds of problems civil and geotechnical engineers try to solve. See the photos below for examples of what can happened if buildings aren’t properly engineered to withstand a geologic event.

Liquefaction-related damage after the 1906 earthquake in San Francisco. Source: USGS

Effects of liquefaction after a 1964 earthquake in Niigata, Japan. Source: USGS


Resources

The United States Geologic Survey has great resources on geologic hazards. Visit online for more information.



Related Snacks

Science activity that demonstrates the angle of repose
Avalanche

Find order in well-mixed chaos.

Science activity that explores frequencies, forced vibrations, and resonance
Spaghetti Resonance

Demonstrate resonance by shaking dried spaghetti.

Science activity that models the energy released in an earthquake
Pasta Quake

The energy released in earthquakes ranges over many orders of magnitude.



Creative Commons License



This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Attribution: Exploratorium Teacher Institute

  • Education
    • Teacher Institute
    • Tools for Teaching and Learning
      • Science Snacks
        • Browse by Subject
        • Special Collections
        • Science Snacks A-Z
        • NGSS Planning Tools
        • Frequently Asked Questions



Connect with us!



  •   Sign up for our educator newsletter

  •   Follow #ExploEDU

  •   Teacher Institute YouTube

  •   Teacher Institute Facebook

  •  teacherinstitute @exploratorium.edu

Exploratorium
Visit
Join
Give

Pier 15
(Embarcadero at Green Street)
San Francisco, CA 94111
415.528.4444

Contact Us

  • Plan Your Visit
  • Calendar
  • Buy Tickets
  • Getting Here
  • Store
  • Event Rentals
  • About Us
  • Become a Member
  • Donate
  • Jobs
  • Volunteer
  • Press Office
  • Land Acknowledgment

Get at-home activities and learning tools delivered straight to your inbox

The Exploratorium is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Our tax ID #: 94-1696494
© 2022 Exploratorium | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Your California Privacy Rights |