Seismology rendezvous
Recently, Dr Sima Mousavi travelled around Tasmania to deliver outreach events and check on NCRIS enabled seismometers before borders closed in the pandemic lockdown period. Image: AuScope, including icons by Kris Prepiakova, Icon Mama, Anniliese Ahrens, Ted Grajeda and Made by Made via The Noun Project.
The earth shook around Lilydale District School in Tasmania on the 23rd of June 2021 as students jumped into a geoscience workshop with Dr Sima Mousavi from our AuScope Seismometers in Schools (AuSIS) program. The focus: checking in with the NCRIS enabled seismometer down the hall, which is capable of detecting large earthquakes around the world, from New Zealand to Mexico!
Propagating seismic waves
As a host of one of the four AuSIS seismometers in Tasmania, Lilydale District School students and staff were “all hands on deck” in the workshop, generating shock waves and examining and studying their effect and propagation. Participants were transfixed by Dr Mousavi’s in-depth presentation.
The concepts shared along with the tools associated with her work have generated a buzz in the school and surrounding community. As students analysed the data generated by their seismometer they also learnt that Lilydale District School contributes data that helps scientists to study earthquakes, seismic waves and understand seismic hazards across the globe. This real-world learning engaged and excited the students.
Teacher, Ekong Uko reflected that aftershocks are still being felt by students, staff, and the community, long after Sima left. Some of Ekong’s year nine and ten students reflect:
“It was such an informative session. Great to see an expert in the field come to talk to us.” — Brydee Nutting
“I now have such an improved awareness of the impact of earthquakes and Natural disasters.” — Sarah Hayes
“It is clear to me, I know what I will study at Uni.” — Lauchlan Prinsen
Dr Sima Mousavi explains the propagation of shock waves with students at Lilydale District School (left), which hosts an NCRIS enabled seismometer (right) for both educational and research purposes. Images: Ekong Uko
Tracking local tremors
The seismometer at Lilydale high school has been recording tremors since 2010. While Tasmania is not known for its earthquakes they do occur. The Earth is crisscrossed with stress and strain and the pressures that build up in rocks can create intraplate earthquakes. As of today, the largest earthquake recorded by the Lilydale Seismometer was a magnitude 6.1 Mw.
Lilydale seismometer recording magnitude 6.1 Mw earthquake in the Kermadec Islands Region. Image: AuSIS
AuSIS tracks tremors across the Nation
With 50 Australian schools hosting a seismometer in their playground, AuSIS is giving thousands of school children access to live earthquake recording. Engaging students in the recording and observation of data through scientist-led workshops brings a new level of engagement and excitement to the schools involved. For the students at Lilydale, it has been a real highlight to be able to team up with Australian National University (ANU), working hands-on to explore cutting-edge, life-saving developments. Dr Sima Mousavi’s workshop has generated interest and energy in the ongoing science learning programs at Lilydale District School.
Dr Sima Mousavi shares her thoughts on Australia's future Earth scientists as part of AuScope's Earth Science Week 2020 celebrations.
AUTHORS
Story by Ekong Uko from
Lilydale District School, adapted for AuScope by Philomena Manifold and contributors Dr Sima Mousavi and Dr Michelle Salmon
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OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES
AuSIS: Dr Michelle Salmon
AuScope: Jo Condon