All projects

CompleteUpdated Added

TERRANE / SUBSTRATA Seismology Observatory

A synthetic seismology observatory: a procedurally generated geological cross-section drawn as an engraved survey plate, where clicking into the earth sends P- and S-waves through the strata and onto drum seismographs.

Visit TERRANE (opens in a new tab)Visit GitHub Repo (opens in a new tab)

About this project

As I continued to create Claude Code prototypes, I started to realize that Claude Code could create one-shot applications faster than I could come up with ideas. This was one of the "Chef's Choice" projects, where I gave Claude Code loose requirements (like making a static webpage) and otherwise gave it the creative freedom to make whatever it wanted.

This was a fascinating simulation. I would have liked to see a bit more explanation or connection to realism, but I think this is still very neat. It feels like the kind of thing that would have been created for a science fair project.

Screenshots

Wavefronts from two ruptures spreading across the whole section, reflecting off the surface, while the three drum recorders trace the arrivals. (view full size)
Waves refract through the layers and reflect off the free surface as the drums record arrivals.
The X-ray lens showing the velocity tomograph of the terrane in grey with interfering wavefronts and a new rupture marked at 20 km depth. (view full size)
The X-ray lens shows the velocity structure the waves travel through.
The Dark lens: a phosphor darkfield view with blue P-wave and orange S-wave energy filling the section after several quakes. (view full size)
The Dark lens renders the wavefield as a phosphor darkfield.

Resources