Exhibitions

Is the core of the Earth solid or liquid?

Submitted by Michel Darche on

Using the anomalies in the propagation of seismic waves detected by analysing seismic data recorded by seismographs around the world, the Danish mathematician Inge Lehmann showed in 1936 that the liquid core of the Earth contains a solid inner core of radius 1,200km. Despite a temperature above 5000° C, the inner core becomes solid because of the pressure, which is more than 3.5 millions stronger at a depth of 5000 km than on the surface.

The melting of glaciers

Submitted by Michel Darche on

Global warming causes the expansion of oceans and the melting of glaciers.

Simulation software like ”Flood map”, based on elevation data coming from satellite radars allows to compute the potential consequences of the rising of the sea level on coastal regions and populations, including large cities like Rio de Janeiro, New York, Tokyo, Shanghai, etc.

Sundials

Submitted by Margarida Oliveira on

Relationship between mathematics and astronomy goes back in time. An analysis, though superficial, of a few episodes in the history of Mathematics shows how this science is actually fundamental to the progress of the different branches of knowledge.

The future of glaciers

Submitted by Guillaume Jouvet on

Alpine glaciers have been shrinking for more than one century. This trend is expected to continue if the global warming progresses. This film shows how mathematicians and glaciologists work together to produce realistic estimates of the future evolution of glaciers.

Probing the invisible, from the earthquake to the model

Submitted by Christine Leininger on

One of the main goals of wave propagation numerical modeling is to describe some earthquake phenomena as close as possible. The role of numerical wave propagation simulations is not to predict when and where there will be an earthquake, but to determine the strength and the trajectory of the seismic waves, depending on where the earthquake occur. It is important to know the less exposed areas, in order to plan the locations of new buildings. Similarly, it is crucial for the authorities to know where to house the victims of an earthquake to protect them from aftershocks.

Bottles and Oceanography

Submitted by Christine Leininger on

Beneath the sea surface, there exists a vast network of ocean currents, which, like gigantic conveyor belts, transport huge water volumes. Although the real map of these currents is extremely complex, a couple of simple physical processes explain most of the large scale features.

The Convertible House

Submitted by Pavel Boytchev on

The film The Convertible House represents a virtual floor plan of house that can change its layout to accustom itself to different weather and environmental conditions. Depending on the actual shape, the house can expose its rooms to sun light; or it can curl up to protect itself during stormy days.

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