Seismology in Schools (Seismeolaíocht sa Scoil) Pilot Project

Seismology in Schools now has a Facebook page

An Outreach pilot programme called Seismology in Schools (Seismeolaíocht sa Scoil) was introduced by the Dublin Institute for Advanced studies to 50 primary and secondary schools throughout Ireland in 2007. Currently there are 55 primary and secondary schools in the programme and has now been extended to include colleges, universities and geo-parks. Using the seismometer and associated software distributed in this programme, students are able to record and study earthquakes from the other side of the world in real-time. Students monitor the performance of the seismometer daily and consolidate the learning and data collection techniques outlined in the training days. Ultimately students upload the recorded earthquake data to the International Schools in Seismology website to share their earthquake data with other schools initially in Ireland, the UK, and USA. The experience of the Seismology in Schools pilot programme reinforces the idea that when science is relevant, learners become more engaged when they see how science is reflected in the reality of their own lives and by what they read in the media.

Earthquake in Donegal, Ireland, 26th January 2012, Magnitude 2.2mb

This morning at 01:04am, 26th Jan 2012 the INSN seismic station IDGL in Donegal recorded a minor earthquake in the region north of Buncrana. It measured Mag2.2 on the Richter scale and was felt widely throughout the region and reported by people to the Garda and Radio stations. It is the second strongest event felt in the area. The strongest earthquake recorded in the region was in Feb 2008, when a Magnitude 2.4 was recorded.

Both the St Egney Primary School, Buncrana and the St Columba Secondary School, Stranolar also recorded the seismic event on their own school seismometers, which they use as part of the DIAS Outreach Seismology in Schools programme.

For the location and more information on the event please click here.

Earthquake in Eastern Turkey, 23rd October 2011, Magnitude 7.2mb

A large earthquake occured in Eastern Turkey, approximately 15km NNE of the town Van. The death toll from the earthquake is over 500 people. At least 1,600 others were injured in the disaster, officials said. For the location and more information on the event please click here.

This earthquake was successfully registered by several of the participating schools. This trace was recorded at Scoil Breifne, Co. Cavan.

Largest recorded earthquake in Co. Clare, May 2010

A small earth tremor was felt widely in North County Clare at 23.24 local time, in the region of Ennistymon and Inagh. Many people in the region have been ringing the local radio stations with accounts of their experience. The tremor was recorded by the Irish National Seismic Network operated by the School of Cosmic Physics, in the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies. It was recorded at stations in Valentia, Co Kerry and in the Dublin Mountains. Preliminary estimates suggest that the magnitude was approximately 2.6 on the Richter Scale. This is the first time that an earth tremor has been recorded in this region. If you have felt this tremor please record your experience by filling out this questionnaire.

The image is a recording of the earth tremeor as recorded by the station at Valentia Met Station, Caherciiveen, Co Kerry. Please click image to view it.

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For information please contact: Tom Blake tb@cp.dias.ie