GeoGebra application, used in the determination of the magnitude of an earthquake
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Abstract
In this paper, the authors tackle the earthquakes study with the aim of determining the magnitude. By means of a GeoGebra program (an open source programme), we encourage the secondary school scholars in modelling the data obtained from an actual earthquake. We intend to obtain the magnitude of an earthquake by a method that can be easily comprehended by the students. The model is based on Richter’s approach. In order to facilitate the process, a GeoGebra application was created that allows for an accurate calculus. The instrument presented in this paper assists in a better understanding of the Richter scale (including how it was built) and the correlation between the energy released by the earthquake, the amplitude of the waves and the epicentral distance. The students will be able to analyse a seismogram, to identify its main elements and to determine the magnitude of a simulated earthquake.
Keywords: Earthquake, GeoGebra, seismogram, STEM, Richter scale.
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