Anatomy of an Avalanche {Duke University Research}

Physicists at Duke University are using this computerized 3D rendering of beads in a box to serve as a model for soil, sand or snow. Colored lines show the network of forces as the virtual particles are pushed together. Thick red lines connect the particles that are experiencing the brunt of the force. By studying the forces inside granular materials as they’re pressed, pushed or squeezed, the researchers hope to better understand phenomena like the jamming of grain hoppers or the early warning signs of earthquakes and avalanches. Video courtesy of Nicolas Brodu. Read more: https://today.duke.edu/2015/03/beadsunderpressure Website: http://duke.edu YouTube: http://youtube.com/Duke Google+: http://plus.google.com/+dukeuniversit... Facebook: http://facebook.com/DukeUniv Twitter: http://twitter.com/DukeU Instagram: http://instagram.com/dukeuniversity Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/dukeuniversity