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New Earthquake Exhibit Rumbles into the Birch Aquarium at Scripps
By Mario Aguilera I November 29, 2004
 See
what's shakin' at the
Birch Aquarium at Scripps
this fall. Become a seismic
sleuth as you explore
earthquakes in the new
interactive exhibit, Earthquake!
Life on a Restless Planet,
which opened at the aquarium
Nov. 20
Through
hands-on displays and
activities, visitors can
get the scoop on these
underground temblors.
They will have the opportunity
to create and record their
own earthquake, construct
buildings and test their
strength, make seismic
waves, and try to beat
the clock in the "Living
with Earthquakes" challenge.
California
is earthquake country,
and scientists at Scripps
Institution of Oceanography
are actively engaged in
the study of earthquakes,
research that has many
practical and potentially
life-saving applications.
This cutting-edge research
will be featured in Birch
Aquarium's newest exhibit,
where guests can explore
what causes earthquakes,
why some areas of the
world are prone to earthquakes,
and why they can be so
destructive. Guests can
explore beneath Earth's
surface to get an in-depth
look at what happens below
ground when an earthquake
hits.
"Earthquakes
are part of life in California,"
said Nigella Hillgarth,
executive director of
the Birch Aquarium at
Scripps. "Scientists here
at Scripps Oceanography
are leaders in earthquake
research, and this exhibit
allows the public to explore
the latest discoveries,
while learning more about
San Diego's faults and
how Scripps scientists
are working to improve
techniques forecasting
large earthquakes."
Exhibit visitors will
witness Earth's seismic
activity in real time
using the state-of-the-art
technology used by scientists
in the field and in their
labs. Earthquake! will
also address how you can
best prepare for a major
temblor.
Earthquakes
are a powerful force of
nature and a reminder
of the constant battles
being waged miles below
Earth's surface as tectonic
plates grind and shift
past one another. Southern
California experiences
about 10,000 earthquakes
each year. Although most
are too small to be felt,
earthquakes are California's
most expensive disasters,
costing the Golden State
more than $60 billion
in losses since 1971.
Earthquakes
continue to fascinate
and terrify us -- and
there is always more to
discover about these natural
disasters. Visit the Birch
Aquarium at Scripps this
fall to experience "Earthquake!
Life on a Restless Planet"
and find out what all
the rumbling is about.
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