Seismology Lab Tours

The most frequently conducted education and outreach activity that the Alaska Earthquake Information Center participates in is tours of our seismology laboratory. After a brief 5-10 minute introduction to global plate tectonics, the remaining portion of the hour-long tour focuses on Alaska tectonics and seismicity. Walking through our laboratory, tourists are shown various posters and diagrams that illustrate faults and seismicity in Alaska, current reasearch being done by resident seismologists, and general laboratory and field operations. The final stop, and highlight of the tour, is the display of 25 helicorder drums showing real-time waveforms for 37 seismic and volcanic stations throughout the state.

From May to September we primarily give tours to local elementary and middle school children, visiting scientists and alumni, prospective University of Alaska Fairbanks students, and community groups such as the Boy and Girl Scouts. From June to August our tour is given weekly to various public tourist groups that are visiting the University.

 

Seismologist Martin LaFevers begins a seismology laboratory tour with a discussion on plate tectonics

Martin discusses the posters "Earthquakes in Alaska" and "Interior Alaska Seismicity" with the tour group

The conclusion of the tour ends with the helicorder display

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