Water feature dances to the rhythm of seismic waves

Once used to supply water, fountains today enliven and brighten both public and private spaces. In 'Waves - Dive in!', the new special exhibition from focusTerra, a fountain powered by 12 spherical jets mirrors the dynamics of seismic waves as an artistic expression of their power. Visitors can even pick the fountain's choreography.

Options include real-time signals from the seismic station on the Zürichberg and the focusTerra exhibition, as well as signals from Mars provided by NASA's InSight mission, the 4.6-magnitude earthquake occurring near Linthal in the canton of Glarus in 2017, and the major earthquake that hit Tohoku in Japan in 2011 at a magnitude of 9.1.

An algorithm translates the various seismic signals to determine the shape and size of the water arcs. The jets are arranged in four groups of three and can propel the water to heights of over 2.5 metres. One jet in each group produces a spray of water representing either the acceleration, speed or path (displacement) of the recorded ground motion. These three parameters are also fundamental for analysing seismological data.

A large version of this water feature can be admired at Zurich's Seebad Enge resort, where the Aquaretum fountain also displays real-time signals from the Zürichberg station. The fountain usually shows how the waves of the Atlantic, the Mediterranean or the Baltic Sea are behaving. The seismic station on the Zürichberg continuously records the vibrations of the ocean waves and instantly transmits these signals to the fountain's control system. Roughly once a week, the dynamics of the water feature briefly change whenever a major earthquake occurs somewhere in the world whose vibrations shake Zurich's geological underground. With a bit of luck, you might even see smaller-scale Swiss earthquakes on the fountain at Lake Zurich and its little sibling at the focusTerra exhibition.

focusTerra's special exhibition 'Waves - Dive in!' will run until 5 March 2023.

More information is available here.