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Triangulation Method

The document outlines an activity for locating the epicenter of an earthquake using triangulation with hypothetical seismic data from three recording stations. It provides a formula for calculating the distance to the epicenter based on the time difference between P-wave and S-wave arrivals, and instructions for mapping the computed distances. The activity also includes questions to assess understanding of the method and the significance of determining an earthquake's epicenter.

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Juvelyn Limpag
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40 views2 pages

Triangulation Method

The document outlines an activity for locating the epicenter of an earthquake using triangulation with hypothetical seismic data from three recording stations. It provides a formula for calculating the distance to the epicenter based on the time difference between P-wave and S-wave arrivals, and instructions for mapping the computed distances. The activity also includes questions to assess understanding of the method and the significance of determining an earthquake's epicenter.

Uploaded by

Juvelyn Limpag
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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SCIENCE 10

Activity 1.3
Names: _______________________ Section: _________________ Date: ___________
_______________________
_______________________ ___________________________
_______________________ ___________________________
_______________________

FIND THE CENTER


Objective: Locate the epicenter of an earthquake using the triangulation method.

Materials: hypothetical records of earthquake waves, Philippine map, drawing compass and ruler

Procedure: Time difference Computed


1. Study the data showing the difference in the Distance of
in the arrival distance on the
epicenter from
arrival time of P-wave and S-wave on three seismic Recording Station time of P-wave map
the station
recording stations. and S-wave (cm)
(km)
2. Compute the distance of the epicenter from each (seconds)
of the stations using this formula: Batangas 44.8
Td Puerto Princesa 32
d= x 100 km
8 seconds Davao 38.4

Where: d = distance of epicenter from the station (km)


Td = time difference in the arrival time of P-wave and S-wave (seconds)

This formula is suited because 8 seconds is the interval between the times of arrival of the P-wave and S-wave at a distance
of 100 km.

3. Solve for the computed distance on the map. The scale of the map given is 1.5 cm:200km. To solve, follow this formula:
d x 1.5
cd = Where: cd = computed distance on the map (cm)
200
d = distance of epicenter from the station (km)

4. Choose one of the recording stations and measure the computed distance on the map. Set your compass for that computed
distance.
5. Center your compass on the station you have chosen. Draw a circle.
6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 for the rest of the stations. You should get three circles that intersect or nearly intersect at a point.
This intersection is the epicenter.

Q1: Where is the epicenter of this hypothetical earthquake?

Q2: What difficulty will you encounter if you only have data from two recording stations?

In the previous activity, the hypothetical


earthquake happened locally, that is why we use
the formula stated in the procedure. But, if the
earthquake took place at a far greater distance,
seismologists use the distance-time graph similar
to the figure at the right in determining the
location of the epicenter.
The distance-time graph at the right shows
that the S-P interval is about 10 minutes.

Q3 : What is the distance of the epicenter from the


seismic station?

Q4 : What do you think is the importance of


determining the epicenter of an earthquake?

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