Modeling principal plate tectonic processes by sandbox experiments: tools for teaching at universities

Abstract

Analogue sand models have been used to reproduce the principle plate tectonic processes, providing the insight of plate tectonics in nature. A simple and versatile sandbox was built and used for the extension and compression experiments modelling principle plate tectonic such as plate divergence or convergence by stretching or compressing sand in a sandbox model. The glass sidewalls allow observing and analyzing the sequential development of faults and structures like normal fault, thrust fault, graben structure, fold and thrust belts, so on. The results can be correlated with geological structures in nature. In an educational context, students can perform the experiments and also vary experimental parameters such as sand layer thickness, geometry of the sandbody or use of different experimental materials. The obtained results are then compared with natural geological examples to improve the students’ receptivity. This indicates that sandbox experiments provide an effective means for teaching geology courses and also soil mechanics courses at universities.