Earthquake Simulator 2D

Earthquake Simulator 2D lets users create structures and then simulate an earthquake. After launching the app, users can create different sized objects to place on the platform using the “Length” and “Height” buttons and then tapping the screen where they want to place the object. Users can simulate an earthquake by tapping the “Magnitude” buttons on the right of the screen. As users increase the earthquake’s magnitude, the platform shakes more vigorously. Users can remove all the objects placed on the screen by tapping the “Clear” button, and they can toggle the grid setting by tapping the “On” or “Off” button.

Instructional Ideas

1. Teachers can create challenges for students to complete using this app. To do so, teachers can require students to place a certain amount of different sized items on the platform (e.g., three rectangles that are at least three units in length by five units in height). The teacher will then set a magnitude level for the earthquake (e.g., magnitude of seven). Students will complete the challenge by positioning the items on the platform. The student who has the most items stay on the platform for the longest amount of time wins.
2. With the purpose of identifying the most secure arrangement for a building to be resilient to earthquakes, students can experiment by arranging items in different patterns on the platform. When students identify the most resilient arrangement, they can take a screenshot of it and explain why it was so effective. Students can compose their explanations, share them in small groups, or present them to a whole class.
3. Students can experiment with this app to determine if it is better to use larger or smaller items for earthquakes of different magnitudes. To do so, students can be presented a question such as: Are builders wiser to use larger or smaller items when constructing buildings with the intent of them being resilient when facing a violent earthquake? Students can then experiment with different sized items using this app. As they create different structures, students can take screenshots of them and then document how long they withstood different magnitude earthquakes. (In this scenario, the magnitude will have to be justified as why it qualifies as “violent”) When students are ready, they can present their response to the question by showing the structure they found to be most resilient and their explanation in support of it.

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‎Earthquake Simulator 2D

Developer: Zhang Bozheng

Price: Free