Lab Tours
A black and white photo of a tour that is being given to a middle school class of students. In the background, there are several seismograms being recorded on paper.
The PNSN Seismology Lab at the University of Washington offers facility tours and age-appropriate discussions covering a variety of topics for school groups and adults, including senior centers, clubs, and other community organizations. Subjects covered may include:
An overview of plate tectonics and how those processes have formed the western margin of North America including Western Washington;
The three source zones where earthquakes occur in the Pacific Northwest;
Why earthquakes occur, and their effects;
What seismic waves are and how "P" or primary waves differ from "S" or shear waves;
How earthquakes are located and measured;
How the ShakeAlert earthquake early warning system operates in Washington.
Other topics including volcanism, glaciation, geology, and oceanography may be addressed by prior arrangement.
Tours are usually scheduled for one hour and can accommodate groups of 10-25 persons. Student groups must be in the 4th grade or higher. Due to high demand for Seismology Lab tours, particularly in the spring, teachers are encouraged to schedule their field trips early.
Tours are free, by appointment only. To schedule a tour, please email pnsn@uw.edu or call 206-685-8180.
Doug Gibbons leads a tour for elementary school students in the Seismology Lab at the University of Washington.