Earthquake Diorama

Schematic picture of the effects of an earthquake showing the change in position of the layers below ground along the fault line. (Photo F. Padovan)

     Display case 37 has a model of an area crossed by a fissure in the ground caused by the vibrations of an earthquake.
     The fissure is also shown in cross-section to demonstrate how different depths are affected.
     There are pictures of damaged houses and notes explaining the origins of the vibrations (tectonic or volcanic). Samples of fault-smoothed stone show the effect on the rock when the earth’s movement causes two parts to scrape each other.
     Two photographs show the damage incurred in an earthquake at Puos d’Alpago in 1873 and in Friuli in 1976.