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CSEF · 2005 Earth Sciences/ Planetary Sciences/ Physical Environments

Christy L. Ahlbach · Good Shepherd School, Pacifica

Overview

Objectives/Goals I wanted to find out which soil is the safest to build a structure on in the earthquake-prone area of San Francisco Bay. Methods/Materials I took two clear plastic cups and cut off the bottoms. I placed them upside down in the middle of a pie plate. I then filled one cup with sand and one with clay soil, with a one ounce sinker on top of each. I filled the plate with 40 mls. of water and waited 90 seconds. I then tapped the cup six times within three seconds. Results With the cup of sand, the water saturated it within 90 seconds and the sinker had completely disappeared before I tapped the cup. With the clay, the sinker did not move and the clay did not liquefy. Conclusions/Discussion I concluded that clay is MUCH safer to build on than sand in an earthquake area.

Summary statement

i wanted to find out which of two types of soil in the S.F. Bay Area was safer in an earthquake.

Help received

My mom helped me type the report and a geologist friend helped select the soil samples and with the dig.

Competition history

  • CSEF 2005 Earth Sciences/ Planetary Sciences/ Physical Environments · Entry J0601

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