Investigating earthquake myths

Do you believe all Swiss buildings are earthquake-proof? Check your knowledge of earthquake myths at Scientifica and visit the interactive exhibition wall and the Adventure Room provided by the Swiss Seismological Service (SED) at the ETH Zurich. This festival of knowledge will take place from 30 August to 1 September 2019, focusing on the topic "Science Fiction – Science Facts".

A great deal is known today about the causes and effects of earthquakes, but a number of misconceptions persist, such as the notion that dogs can sense earthquakes before people feel them. SED Director Professor Stefan Wiemer probes that myth in this video. You can explore other myths on our interactive exhibition wall and find out what is fact and what is fiction.

For a more interactive examination of earthquakes, go directly to our stand and put your name down for our second activity: the Adventure Room! An alarming warning circulating on social media claims that a major earthquake is due to hit Zurich in just 15 minutes' time! You happen to be near the office of the famous seismologist, Dr Seismoritz, but he's nowhere to be seen, so you have to take over as crisis manager. In an Adventure Room, you have to find clues and solve all kinds of puzzles or riddles. Like in a scavenger hunt, solving one clue leads to the next.