Analyze how geologic processes affect other Earth systems. Maintain a curiosity about natural wonder, explain science principles in their own words, report observations accurately, recognize personal relevance, respect contributions to society. Blocks of wood of different shapes and weight. Paper and pencil A local map of liquefaction probability during earthquake activity, if available. This is a good introductory exploration for either a unit on ground water or earthquakes.
Liquefaction is the changing of properties of a solid upon the addition of water.
Some solid soils will turn to quicksand-like material if just the right amount of water is added to them. Sand is notorious for this. In the case of liquefaction, the water comes from the ground water underneath. If the water table is relatively shallow and close to the surface it happens quickly. During an earthquake, it is like mixing water and oil and you get salad dressing.