Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — Thunderstorms Thursday in Oklahoma were hampering cleanup efforts in the tornado-ravaged town of Moore. The humbling aspect of all these storms is as fascinating as it is frightening, and each are elements of a new museum exhibit in Utah called "Nature Unleashed."
Aside from the tragic destruction, there are so many different elements to natural disasters. Why do they happen when and where they do? Starting Saturday, Utahns can examine that question by taking a closer look at "nature unleashed."
Heavy footsteps measured with a seismograph, standing in the path of a tornado, and using levers to create and erupt a volcano are among the activities in the exhibit at the Natural History Museum.
The Nature Unleashed exhibit is a behind-the-scenes look at natural disasters. The tornado portion is a timely and humbling reminder that science can only go so far.
"While it's exhilerating, it is sobering to see the tornado in front of you or the hurricane, because you know it impacts people," said atmospheric scientist Jon Zawislak. "But that's what motivates us as scientists."
An example of how science has made a difference: A 1925 headline of a twister similar to Oklahoma's reported more than 3,600 injured and killed. About 300 have been affected in Oklahoma — still tragic, but also a tribute to technology, preparedness and early warning.
Hammering home a lesson on disaster potential close to home: Fourth graders get a hands-on lesson on liquefaction. It's information kids this age may find useful someday, living in an earthquake zone.
The scary part is when that day will come.
"I often get, ‘When are we going to get the big one?' And I can't answer that, unfortunately,' " said seismologist Katherine Murphy Whidden. "All I can say is we live in earthquake country, we can have a large, damaging earthquake at any time, and the best thing we can do is be prepared."
There's a lot of little bits of information that kids of all ages will enjoy. The exhibit opens Saturday, and will be at the Natural History Museum until Dec. 8.
