Project Fact Sheet
The Big One: Earthquakes in the Pacific Northwest
is a new, six-point project aimed at educating Northwest communities
about the natural history of Washington and the potential hazards
and methods of preparation for a major earthquake in our region.
This dynamic project will bring important scientific and safety
messages to audiences across the region through a coordinated mix
of exhibits, school programs, a visiting scientist program, and
an interactive website. All components are designed to motivate
the public to take earthquake risks seriously and to take basic
steps to reduce the risks to their families, homes, and communities.
Traveling Exhibit
The heart of the Burkes Earthquake project is a compact traveling
exhibit that will travel to communities throughout Washington State
and Western Oregon. Designed to appeal to a range of audiences,
from high-schoolers to homeowners, the exhibit includes:
- a free-standing panel exhibit which presents the geological
processes that cause Northwest earthquakes, the ways earthquakes
are detected and measured, the variety of hazards they present,
and what we can do to prepare
- takeaway informational brochures on topics such as home safety
- hands-on interactive models that help explain the dynamics of
plate movement and the effects of earthquakes on structures
- study kits for use in school classrooms
- a computer CD containing historic photos of past Washington
earthquakes and additional information for exhibit visitors
Visiting Scientist
A Visiting Scientist program is available to communities hosting
the traveling exhibit. Dr. Cathy Townsend, Senior Regional Geologist
at the Burke Museum, will provide public lectures, visits to schools,
and other educational outreach activities arranged by the host institution
during a visit of 2-3 days. Dr. Townsend is an award-winning teacher
and researcher with special interest in how the mountain systems
of North America were formed. Her engaging presentations are designed
to place recent earthquakes into the context of the fascinating
geological history of the Pacific Northwest.
Burke Museum Exhibit
An expanded version of the traveling exhibit will open in the Burkes
temporary gallery on the anniversary of the 2001 Nisqually quake
Feb. 28, 2001. The exhibit will run through September 2, 2002. In
addition to all of the elements from the traveling exhibit, it will
include:
- dramatic displays from the 2001 earthquake, including audio
and video recordings, photos, and reconstructed scenes
- a partially constructed house, where visitors can examine correct
methods for strapping down a water heater, bolting a home to its
foundation, and other important mitigation techniques
- informaiton on current scientific research and what its
telling us about earthquakes of the past, present, and future
- a reading/study room with myriad resources to explore
Public Progroams
The Burke will host a variety of public programs to accompany the
exhibit science demonstrations, childrens activities,
classes and workshops, lectures by leading scientists, special events
for families and homeowners, and exhibit visits for schools and
groups.
School Study Kits
Two traveling study kits containing specimens, scientific
instruments, books, videos, and lesson plans will accompany
the traveling exhibit and be available for use by local schools.
Contents include successful education packages developed by other
organizations and a new science curriculum created by the exhibits
scientific curator. When the exhibit ends, these study kits will
become part of the Burkes permanent collection, the largest
such resource in the Northwest.
Web Site
A specially-developed website, prepared by Burke scientists and
educators and working in conjunction with the Burke Museum website,
will allow users to learn more about how recent earthquakes relate
to the geologic processes that have formed the Pacific Northwest.
The website will launch in February, 2002, and will become a long-term
addition to the Burkes respected online educational resources.
Press Contact:
Natasha Dworkin
Public Relations Manager
Phone: 206-543-9762
Fax: 206-616-1274
Email: natashad@u.washington.edu
Web: www.burkemuseum.org
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