Mel Zhang is a graduate student at the University of Colorado, Boulder, where she studies the seismology of subduction margins where slow slip events ("slow earthquakes") have been observed. She's interested in the interactions and impacts between geohazards and people and pursues research that has the potential to benefit communities vulnerable to such hazards.
Mel conducted her research in the Sheehan Geophysics Group at CIRES.
Did you enjoy the visualization/animation that Mel used to demonstrate subduction? It can be found here.
Grades 3-12: Check out the Science on a Sphere Explorer from NOAA. The app allows students to explore phenomena right on the surface of the earth. Looking for more ways to incorporate SOSx into your classroom? Check out their lessons.
Grades 4-8 will find this hands-on activity from the California Academy of Sciences useful for visualizing earthquakes and how they are measured. Students make their own seismograph with simple household materials.
PBS Learning Media offers a nicely packed suite of lessons, visuals, and videos for grades 6-13+ on earthquakes and plate tectonics.
