Menentukan pusat gempa

dengan perbedaan waktu P dan S

Follow the Rainbow!



NSF Funded CUNY GK-12 Science NOW Project Copyright David Stolarz, January 22, 2010
NSF Funded CUNY GK-12 Science NOW Project
Station
Arrival Time of
P-Wave
Arrival Time of
the S-Wave
P-S Wave
Interval
Distance to the
Epicenter
P-Wave Travel
Time
Origin Time of
Earthquake
A 08:16:00 08:21:00 00:05:00 3.6 x10
3
km 00:06:20 08:09:40
B 08:19:00 08:26:00 00:07:00
5.0 x10
3
km 00:08:20 08:10:40
C 08:21:00 08:30:00 00:09:00
7.6 x10
3
km
00:10:20 08:11:40
U
s
i
n
g

S
c
r
a
p

P
a
p
e
r

Menentukan pusat gempa dengan
perbedaan waktu P dan S


The Completed Process

Menentukan pusat gempa dengan perbedaan
waktu P dan S

NSF Funded CUNY GK-12 Science NOW Project
Station
Arrival Time of
P-Wave
Arrival Time of
the S-Wave
P-S Wave
Interval
Distance to the
Epicenter
P-Wave Travel
Time
Origin Time of
Earthquake
A
B
C
Fill out the chart below using the three seismograms and the chart on Page 11 of the Earth Science Reference Tables.
Start Simple Draw a Line Down From the P-Wave to the Time Scale
Finding the Epicenter of an Earthquake
Using the Difference in Time Between the P and the S Wave

NSF Funded CUNY GK-12 Science NOW Project
Station
Arrival Time of
P-Wave
Arrival Time of
the S-Wave
P-S Wave
Interval
Distance to the
Epicenter
P-Wave Travel
Time
Origin Time of
Earthquake
A
B
C
Fill out the chart below using the three seismograms and the chart on Page 11 of the Earth Science Reference Tables.
Judge what time the P-wave starts
Finding the Epicenter of an Earthquake
Using the Difference in Time Between the P and the S Wave

NSF Funded CUNY GK-12 Science NOW Project
Station
Arrival Time of
P-Wave
Arrival Time of
the S-Wave
P-S Wave
Interval
Distance to the
Epicenter
P-Wave Travel
Time
Origin Time of
Earthquake
A
B
C
Fill out the chart below using the three seismograms and the chart on Page 11 of the Earth Science Reference Tables.
08:16 17 18 19
A Quarter after 8 OClock! And No Seconds!
A zoom-in shows P-wave starting at approximately 08:16:00
Finding the Epicenter of an Earthquake
Using the Difference in Time Between the P and the S Wave

NSF Funded CUNY GK-12 Science NOW Project
Station
Arrival Time of
P-Wave
Arrival Time of
the S-Wave
P-S Wave
Interval
Distance to the
Epicenter
P-Wave Travel
Time
Origin Time of
Earthquake
A 08:16:00
B
C
Fill out the chart below using the three seismograms and the chart on Page 11 of the Earth Science Reference Tables.
Put that value in the appropriate box
Finding the Epicenter of an Earthquake
Using the Difference in Time Between the P and the S Wave

NSF Funded CUNY GK-12 Science NOW Project
Station
Arrival Time of
P-Wave
Arrival Time of
the S-Wave
P-S Wave
Interval
Distance to the
Epicenter
P-Wave Travel
Time
Origin Time of
Earthquake
A 08:16:00 08:21:00
B
C
Fill out the chart below using the three seismograms and the chart on Page 11 of the Earth Science Reference Tables.
Repeat the same process for the S-wave.
Finding the Epicenter of an Earthquake
Using the Difference in Time Between the P and the S Wave

NSF Funded CUNY GK-12 Science NOW Project
Station
Arrival Time of
P-Wave
Arrival Time of
the S-Wave
P-S Wave
Interval
Distance to the
Epicenter
P-Wave Travel
Time
Origin Time of
Earthquake
A 08:16:00 08:21:00
B
C
Fill out the chart below using the three seismograms and the chart on Page 11 of the Earth Science Reference Tables.
08:21:00 (S-Wave Time)
-08:16:00 (P-Wave Time)

Calculate the interval between the two wave arrivals at the seisomgraph
Finding the Epicenter of an Earthquake
Using the Difference in Time Between the P and the S Wave

NSF Funded CUNY GK-12 Science NOW Project
Station
Arrival Time of
P-Wave
Arrival Time of
the S-Wave
P-S Wave
Interval
Distance to the
Epicenter
P-Wave Travel
Time
Origin Time of
Earthquake
A 08:16:00 08:21:00 00:05:00
B
C
Fill out the chart below using the three seismograms and the chart on Page 11 of the Earth Science Reference Tables.
08:21:00 (S-Wave Time)
-08:16:00 (P-Wave Time)
00:05:00 (Time Difference)
( 0 Hours, 5 Minutes, 0 Seconds )

Enter that time in the appropriate box
NSF Funded CUNY GK-12 Science NOW Project
Station
Arrival Time of
P-Wave
Arrival Time of
the S-Wave
P-S Wave
Interval
Distance to the
Epicenter
P-Wave Travel
Time
Origin Time of
Earthquake
A 08:16:00 08:21:00 00:05:00
B
C
Go to page 11 of your Earth Science Reference Tables for the chart shown above
NSF Funded CUNY GK-12 Science NOW Project
Station
Arrival Time of
P-Wave
Arrival Time of
the S-Wave
P-S Wave
Interval
Distance to the
Epicenter
P-Wave Travel
Time
Origin Time of
Earthquake
A 08:16:00 08:21:00 00:05:00
B
C
Use the P-S Wave time interval to figure out the distance to the epicenter
NSF Funded CUNY GK-12 Science NOW Project
Station
Arrival Time of
P-Wave
Arrival Time of
the S-Wave
P-S Wave
Interval
Distance to the
Epicenter
P-Wave Travel
Time
Origin Time of
Earthquake
A 08:16:00 08:21:00 00:05:00
B
C
Scrap Paper
Place Marks at
P-S Wave Interval
Time and at 0.
Create a reference measurement using scrap paper and the P-S Wave value
NSF Funded CUNY GK-12 Science NOW Project
Station
Arrival Time of
P-Wave
Arrival Time of
the S-Wave
P-S Wave
Interval
Distance to the
Epicenter
P-Wave Travel
Time
Origin Time of
Earthquake
A 08:16:00 08:21:00 00:05:00
B
C
Scrap Paper
Scrap Paper
Slide paper up
and over until the
reference marks
Line up with the
P and S Lines.
Find the proper place where the reference marks match the P and S Lines.
NSF Funded CUNY GK-12 Science NOW Project
Station
Arrival Time of
P-Wave
Arrival Time of
the S-Wave
P-S Wave
Interval
Distance to the
Epicenter
P-Wave Travel
Time
Origin Time of
Earthquake
A 08:16:00 08:21:00 00:05:00
B
C
Scrap Paper
Lightly, make a
reference mark in pencil
on the reference table
at this place on the P line.
For convenience, make a light pencil mark on the P line for use in the next step
NSF Funded CUNY GK-12 Science NOW Project
Station
Arrival Time of
P-Wave
Arrival Time of
the S-Wave
P-S Wave
Interval
Distance to the
Epicenter
P-Wave Travel
Time
Origin Time of
Earthquake
A 08:16:00 08:21:00 00:05:00
B
C
Look straight down from the P line pencil mark and judge the epicenter distance.
.2 . 4 .6 .8
NSF Funded CUNY GK-12 Science NOW Project
Station
Arrival Time of
P-Wave
Arrival Time of
the S-Wave
P-S Wave
Interval
Distance to the
Epicenter
P-Wave Travel
Time
Origin Time of
Earthquake
A 08:16:00 08:21:00 00:05:00 3.6 x10
3
km
B
C
Lightly, make
reference marks in pencil
On the reference table
at these two places .
Enter that value for the epicenter distance with proper units.
NSF Funded CUNY GK-12 Science NOW Project
Station
Arrival Time of
P-Wave
Arrival Time of
the S-Wave
P-S Wave
Interval
Distance to the
Epicenter
P-Wave Travel
Time
Origin Time of
Earthquake
A 08:16:00 08:21:00 00:05:00 3.6 x10
3
km
B
C
Look across at the y-axis to Judge the time value

00:06:40
00:06:20
T
r
a
v
e
l

T
i
m
e

(
m
i
n
u
t
e
s
)

NSF Funded CUNY GK-12 Science NOW Project
Station
Arrival Time of
P-Wave
Arrival Time of
the S-Wave
P-S Wave
Interval
Distance to the
Epicenter
P-Wave Travel
Time
Origin Time of
Earthquake
A 08:16:00 08:21:00 00:05:00 3.6 x10
3
km 00:06:20
B
C
Enter that value for the epicenter distance with proper units.
NSF Funded CUNY GK-12 Science NOW Project
Station
Arrival Time of
P-Wave
Arrival Time of
the S-Wave
P-S Wave
Interval
Distance to the
Epicenter
P-Wave Travel
Time
Origin Time of
Earthquake
A 08:16:00 08:21:00 00:05:00 3.6 x10
3
km 00:06:20
B
C
ERASE YOUR MARK!
Erase your pencil mark on the P-wave to keep your reference table clean
NSF Funded CUNY GK-12 Science NOW Project
Station
Arrival Time of
P-Wave
Arrival Time of
the S-Wave
P-S Wave
Interval
Distance to the
Epicenter
P-Wave Travel
Time
Origin Time of
Earthquake
A 08:16:00 08:21:00 00:05:00 3.6 x10
3
km 00:06:20
B
C
08:16:00 (P Arrival Time)
00:06:20 (P Travel Time)
Calculate what time the earthquake happened using the Arrival and travel times
NSF Funded CUNY GK-12 Science NOW Project
Station
Arrival Time of
P-Wave
Arrival Time of
the S-Wave
P-S Wave
Interval
Distance to the
Epicenter
P-Wave Travel
Time
Origin Time of
Earthquake
A 08:16:00 08:21:00 00:05:00 3.6 x10
3
km 00:06:20
B
C
08:16:00 (P Arrival Time)
- 00:06:20 (P Travel Time) MINUS!
Obviously, the earthquake happened earlier than when its was felt miles away
NSF Funded CUNY GK-12 Science NOW Project
Station
Arrival Time of
P-Wave
Arrival Time of
the S-Wave
P-S Wave
Interval
Distance to the
Epicenter
P-Wave Travel
Time
Origin Time of
Earthquake
A 08:16:00 08:21:00 00:05:00 3.6 x10
3
km 00:06:20
B
C
08:15:60 (1 min. is 60 sec)
08:16:00 (P Arrival Time)
- 00:06:20 (P Travel Time)

Convert hours to minutes or minutes to seconds when necessary
NSF Funded CUNY GK-12 Science NOW Project
Station
Arrival Time of
P-Wave
Arrival Time of
the S-Wave
P-S Wave
Interval
Distance to the
Epicenter
P-Wave Travel
Time
Origin Time of
Earthquake
A 08:16:00 08:21:00 00:05:00 3.6 x10
3
km 00:06:20 08:09:40
B
C
08:15:60 (1 min. is 60 sec)
08:16:00 (P Arrival Time)
- 00:06:20 (P Travel Time)
08:09:40 (Time at Origin)
Put the calculated time of earthquake in the proper box
NSF Funded CUNY GK-12 Science NOW Project
Station
Arrival Time of
P-Wave
Arrival Time of
the S-Wave
P-S Wave
Interval
Distance to the
Epicenter
P-Wave Travel
Time
Origin Time of
Earthquake
A 08:16:00 08:21:00 00:05:00 3.6 x10
3
km 00:06:20 08:09:40
B 08:19:00 08:26:00 00:07:00 5.0 x10
3
km 00:08:20 08:10:40
C
U
s
i
n
g

S
c
r
a
p

P
a
p
e
r

Finding the Epicenter of an
Earthquake Using the Difference in
Time Between the P and the S Wave

Anything complex is easier when broken into smaller steps
NSF Funded CUNY GK-12 Science NOW Project
Station
Arrival Time of
P-Wave
Arrival Time of
the S-Wave
P-S Wave
Interval
Distance to the
Epicenter
P-Wave Travel
Time
Origin Time of
Earthquake
A 08:16:00 08:21:00 00:05:00 3.6 x10
3
km 00:06:20 08:09:40
B 08:19:00
C
Finding the Epicenter of an
Earthquake Using the Difference in
Time Between the P and the S Wave

Judge what time the P-wave starts and enter it in the box
NSF Funded CUNY GK-12 Science NOW Project
Station
Arrival Time of
P-Wave
Arrival Time of
the S-Wave
P-S Wave
Interval
Distance to the
Epicenter
P-Wave Travel
Time
Origin Time of
Earthquake
A 08:16:00 08:21:00 00:05:00 3.6 x10
3
km 00:06:20 08:09:40
B 08:19:00 08:26:00
C
Finding the Epicenter of an
Earthquake Using the Difference in
Time Between the P and the S Wave

Repeat the same process for the S-wave.
NSF Funded CUNY GK-12 Science NOW Project
Station
Arrival Time of
P-Wave
Arrival Time of
the S-Wave
P-S Wave
Interval
Distance to the
Epicenter
P-Wave Travel
Time
Origin Time of
Earthquake
A 08:16:00 08:21:00 00:05:00 3.6 x10
3
km 00:06:20 08:09:40
B 08:19:00 08:26:00 00:07:00
C
Finding the Epicenter of an
Earthquake Using the Difference in
Time Between the P and the S Wave

Use the P-S Wave time interval to set reference marks for the sliding step
NSF Funded CUNY GK-12 Science NOW Project
Station
Arrival Time of
P-Wave
Arrival Time of
the S-Wave
P-S Wave
Interval
Distance to the
Epicenter
P-Wave Travel
Time
Origin Time of
Earthquake
A 08:16:00 08:21:00 00:05:00 3.6 x10
3
km 00:06:20 08:09:40
B 08:19:00 08:26:00 00:07:00
C
U
s
i
n
g

S
c
r
a
p

P
a
p
e
r

Finding the Epicenter of an
Earthquake Using the Difference in
Time Between the P and the S Wave

Create a reference measurement using scrap paper and the P-S Wave value
NSF Funded CUNY GK-12 Science NOW Project
Station
Arrival Time of
P-Wave
Arrival Time of
the S-Wave
P-S Wave
Interval
Distance to the
Epicenter
P-Wave Travel
Time
Origin Time of
Earthquake
A 08:16:00 08:21:00 00:05:00 3.6 x10
3
km 00:06:20 08:09:40
B 08:19:00 08:26:00 00:07:00
C
U
s
i
n
g

S
c
r
a
p

P
a
p
e
r

Finding the Epicenter of an
Earthquake Using the Difference in
Time Between the P and the S Wave

Find the proper place where the reference marks match the P and S Lines.
NSF Funded CUNY GK-12 Science NOW Project
Station
Arrival Time of
P-Wave
Arrival Time of
the S-Wave
P-S Wave
Interval
Distance to the
Epicenter
P-Wave Travel
Time
Origin Time of
Earthquake
A 08:16:00 08:21:00 00:05:00 3.6 x10
3
km 00:06:20 08:09:40
B 08:19:00 08:26:00 00:07:00
5.0 x10
3
km
C
U
s
i
n
g

S
c
r
a
p

P
a
p
e
r

Finding the Epicenter of an
Earthquake Using the Difference in
Time Between the P and the S Wave

Look straight down from the P line pencil mark and judge the epicenter distance.
NSF Funded CUNY GK-12 Science NOW Project
Station
Arrival Time of
P-Wave
Arrival Time of
the S-Wave
P-S Wave
Interval
Distance to the
Epicenter
P-Wave Travel
Time
Origin Time of
Earthquake
A 08:16:00 08:21:00 00:05:00 3.6 x10
3
km 00:06:20 08:09:40
B 08:19:00 08:26:00 00:07:00
5.0 x10
3
km
00:08:20
C
U
s
i
n
g

S
c
r
a
p

P
a
p
e
r

Finding the Epicenter of an
Earthquake Using the Difference in
Time Between the P and the S Wave

Look across at the y-axis to Judge the time value
NSF Funded CUNY GK-12 Science NOW Project
Station
Arrival Time of
P-Wave
Arrival Time of
the S-Wave
P-S Wave
Interval
Distance to the
Epicenter
P-Wave Travel
Time
Origin Time of
Earthquake
A 08:16:00 08:21:00 00:05:00 3.6 x10
3
km 00:06:20 08:09:40
B 08:19:00 08:26:00 00:07:00
5.0 x10
3
km 00:08:20 08:10:40
C
U
s
i
n
g

S
c
r
a
p

P
a
p
e
r

Finding the Epicenter of an
Earthquake Using the Difference in
Time Between the P and the S Wave

Put the calculated time of earthquake in the proper box
NSF Funded CUNY GK-12 Science NOW Project
Station
Arrival Time of
P-Wave
Arrival Time of
the S-Wave
P-S Wave
Interval
Distance to the
Epicenter
P-Wave Travel
Time
Origin Time of
Earthquake
A 08:16:00 08:21:00 00:05:00 3.6 x10
3
km 00:06:20 08:09:40
B 08:19:00 08:26:00 00:07:00 5.0 x10
3
km 00:08:20 08:10:40
C
U
s
i
n
g

S
c
r
a
p

P
a
p
e
r

Finding the Epicenter of an
Earthquake Using the Difference in
Time Between the P and the S Wave

Anything complex is easier when broken into smaller steps
NSF Funded CUNY GK-12 Science NOW Project
Station
Arrival Time of
P-Wave
Arrival Time of
the S-Wave
P-S Wave
Interval
Distance to the
Epicenter
P-Wave Travel
Time
Origin Time of
Earthquake
A 08:16:00 08:21:00 00:05:00 3.6 x10
3
km 00:06:20 08:09:40
B 08:19:00 08:26:00 00:07:00
5.0 x10
3
km 00:08:20 08:10:40
C 08:21:00 08:30:00 00:09:00
7.6 x10
3
km
00:10:20 08:11:40
U
s
i
n
g

S
c
r
a
p

P
a
p
e
r

Finding the Epicenter of an
Earthquake Using the Difference in
Time Between the P and the S Wave

Follow the same overall process for Station C
NSF Funded CUNY GK-12 Science NOW Project
Station
Arrival Time of
P-Wave
Arrival Time of
the S-Wave
P-S Wave
Interval
Distance to the
Epicenter
P-Wave Travel
Time
Origin Time of
Earthquake
A 08:16:00 08:21:00 00:05:00 3.6 x10
3
km 00:06:20 08:09:40
B 08:19:00 08:26:00 00:07:00
5.0 x10
3
km 00:08:20 08:10:40
C 08:21:00
Finding the Epicenter of an
Earthquake Using the Difference in
Time Between the P and the S Wave

Judge what time the P-wave starts and enter it in the box
NSF Funded CUNY GK-12 Science NOW Project
Station
Arrival Time of
P-Wave
Arrival Time of
the S-Wave
P-S Wave
Interval
Distance to the
Epicenter
P-Wave Travel
Time
Origin Time of
Earthquake
A 08:16:00 08:21:00 00:05:00 3.6 x10
3
km 00:06:20 08:09:40
B 08:19:00 08:26:00 00:07:00
5.0 x10
3
km 00:08:20 08:10:40
C 08:21:00 08:30:00
Finding the Epicenter of an
Earthquake Using the Difference in
Time Between the P and the S Wave

Repeat the same process for the S-wave.
NSF Funded CUNY GK-12 Science NOW Project
Station
Arrival Time of
P-Wave
Arrival Time of
the S-Wave
P-S Wave
Interval
Distance to the
Epicenter
P-Wave Travel
Time
Origin Time of
Earthquake
A 08:16:00 08:21:00 00:05:00 3.6 x10
3
km 00:06:20 08:09:40
B 08:19:00 08:26:00 00:07:00
5.0 x10
3
km 00:08:20 08:10:40
C 08:21:00 08:30:00 00:09:00
Finding the Epicenter of an
Earthquake Using the Difference in
Time Between the P and the S Wave

Use the P-S Wave time interval and the y axis of the reference table
NSF Funded CUNY GK-12 Science NOW Project
Station
Arrival Time of
P-Wave
Arrival Time of
the S-Wave
P-S Wave
Interval
Distance to the
Epicenter
P-Wave Travel
Time
Origin Time of
Earthquake
A 08:16:00 08:21:00 00:05:00 3.6 x10
3
km 00:06:20 08:09:40
B 08:19:00 08:26:00 00:07:00
5.0 x10
3
km 00:08:20 08:10:40
C 08:21:00 08:30:00 00:09:00
U
s
i
n
g

S
c
r
a
p

P
a
p
e
r

Finding the Epicenter of an
Earthquake Using the Difference in
Time Between the P and the S Wave

Create a reference measurement using scrap paper and the P-S Wave time value
NSF Funded CUNY GK-12 Science NOW Project
Station
Arrival Time of
P-Wave
Arrival Time of
the S-Wave
P-S Wave
Interval
Distance to the
Epicenter
P-Wave Travel
Time
Origin Time of
Earthquake
A 08:16:00 08:21:00 00:05:00 3.6 x10
3
km 00:06:20 08:09:40
B 08:19:00 08:26:00 00:07:00
5.0 x10
3
km 00:08:20 08:10:40
C 08:21:00 08:30:00 00:09:00
U
s
i
n
g

S
c
r
a
p

P
a
p
e
r

Finding the Epicenter of an
Earthquake Using the Difference in
Time Between the P and the S Wave

Find the proper place where the reference marks match the P and S Lines.
NSF Funded CUNY GK-12 Science NOW Project
Station
Arrival Time of
P-Wave
Arrival Time of
the S-Wave
P-S Wave
Interval
Distance to the
Epicenter
P-Wave Travel
Time
Origin Time of
Earthquake
A 08:16:00 08:21:00 00:05:00 3.6 x10
3
km 00:06:20 08:09:40
B 08:19:00 08:26:00 00:07:00
5.0 x10
3
km 00:08:20 08:10:40
C 08:21:00 08:30:00 00:09:00 7.6 x10
3
km

U
s
i
n
g

S
c
r
a
p

P
a
p
e
r

Finding the Epicenter of an
Earthquake Using the Difference in
Time Between the P and the S Wave

Enter that value for the epicenter distance with proper units.
NSF Funded CUNY GK-12 Science NOW Project
Station
Arrival Time of
P-Wave
Arrival Time of
the S-Wave
P-S Wave
Interval
Distance to the
Epicenter
P-Wave Travel
Time
Origin Time of
Earthquake
A 08:16:00 08:21:00 00:05:00 3.6 x10
3
km 00:06:20 08:09:40
B 08:19:00 08:26:00 00:07:00
5.0 x10
3
km 00:08:20 08:10:40
C 08:21:00 08:30:00 00:09:00 7.6 x10
3
km
00:10:20
U
s
i
n
g

S
c
r
a
p

P
a
p
e
r

Finding the Epicenter of an
Earthquake Using the Difference in
Time Between the P and the S Wave

Calculate what time the earthquake happened using the Arrival and travel times
NSF Funded CUNY GK-12 Science NOW Project
Station
Arrival Time of
P-Wave
Arrival Time of
the S-Wave
P-S Wave
Interval
Distance to the
Epicenter
P-Wave Travel
Time
Origin Time of
Earthquake
A 08:16:00 08:21:00 00:05:00 3.6 x10
3
km 00:06:20 08:09:40
B 08:19:00 08:26:00 00:07:00
5.0 x10
3
km 00:08:20 08:10:40
C 08:21:00 08:30:00 00:09:00 7.6 x10
3
km 00:10:20 08:11:40
U
s
i
n
g

S
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Finding the Epicenter of an
Earthquake Using the Difference in
Time Between the P and the S Wave

Calculate and place the time of earthquake in the proper box
$Z
$Z
$Z
A
C
B
0 5000 km
NSF Funded CUNY GK-12 Science NOW Project
Finding the Epicenter of an Earthquake
Using the Difference in Time Between the P and the S Wave

3600 km
All three arcs must pass through
the earthquake epicenter, in
this case, the San Andreas fault
in California, USA.
Using scrap paper.
Use the Station info to locate the epicenter of the earthquake on a map
NSF Funded CUNY GK-12 Science NOW Project
Station
Arrival Time of
P-Wave
Arrival Time of
the S-Wave
P-S Wave
Interval
Distance to the
Epicenter
P-Wave Travel
Time
Origin Time of
Earthquake
A 08:16:00 08:21:00 00:05:00 3.6 x10
3
km 00:06:20 08:09:40
B 08:19:00 08:26:00 00:07:00
5.0 x10
3
km 00:08:20 08:10:40
C 08:21:00 08:30:00 00:09:00 7.6 x10
3
km 00:10:20 08:11:40
Finding the Epicenter of an Earthquake
Using the Difference in Time Between the P and the S Wave

$Z
$Z
$Z
A
C
B
0 5000 km
On the Station Map, Find Station A
NSF Funded CUNY GK-12 Science NOW Project
Station
Arrival Time of
P-Wave
Arrival Time of
the S-Wave
P-S Wave
Interval
Distance to the
Epicenter
P-Wave Travel
Time
Origin Time of
Earthquake
A 08:16:00 08:21:00 00:05:00 3.6 x10
3
km 00:06:20 08:09:40
B 08:19:00 08:26:00 00:07:00
5.0 x10
3
km 00:08:20 08:10:40
C 08:21:00 08:30:00 00:09:00 7.6 x10
3
km 00:10:20 08:11:40
Finding the Epicenter of an Earthquake
Using the Difference in Time Between the P and the S Wave

$Z
$Z
$Z
A
C
B
0 5000 km
Find Station B
NSF Funded CUNY GK-12 Science NOW Project
Station
Arrival Time of
P-Wave
Arrival Time of
the S-Wave
P-S Wave
Interval
Distance to the
Epicenter
P-Wave Travel
Time
Origin Time of
Earthquake
A 08:16:00 08:21:00 00:05:00 3.6 x10
3
km 00:06:20 08:09:40
B 08:19:00 08:26:00 00:07:00
5.0 x10
3
km 00:08:20 08:10:40
C 08:21:00 08:30:00 00:09:00 7.6 x10
3
km 00:10:20 08:11:40
Finding the Epicenter of an Earthquake
Using the Difference in Time Between the P and the S Wave

$Z
$Z
$Z
A
C
B
0 5000 km
Find Station C
$Z
$Z
$Z
A
C
B
0 5000 km
NSF Funded CUNY GK-12 Science NOW Project
Station
Arrival Time of
P-Wave
Arrival Time of
the S-Wave
P-S Wave
Interval
Distance to the
Epicenter
P-Wave Travel
Time
Origin Time of
Earthquake
A 08:16:00 08:21:00 00:05:00 3.6 x10
3
km 00:06:20 08:09:40
B 08:19:00 08:26:00 00:07:00
5.0 x10
3
km 00:08:20 08:10:40
C 08:21:00 08:30:00 00:09:00 7.6 x10
3
km 00:10:20 08:11:40
Distance to the
Epicenter
3.6 x10
3
km

5.0 x10
3
km
7.6 x10
3
km
Finding the Epicenter of an Earthquake
Using the Difference in Time Between the P and the S Wave

Station
A
B
C
Use the Distance to Epicenter for each station
NSF Funded CUNY GK-12 Science NOW Project
Station
Arrival Time of
P-Wave
Arrival Time of
the S-Wave
P-S Wave
Interval
Distance to the
Epicenter
P-Wave Travel
Time
Origin Time of
Earthquake
A 08:16:00 08:21:00 00:05:00 3.6 x10
3
km 00:06:20 08:09:40
B 08:19:00 08:26:00 00:07:00
5.0 x10
3
km 00:08:20 08:10:40
C 08:21:00 08:30:00 00:09:00 7.6 x10
3
km 00:10:20 08:11:40
Distance to the
Epicenter
3.6 x10
3
km

5.0 x10
3
km
7.6 x10
3
km
Distance to the
Epicenter
3,600

km

5,000

km
7,600

km
or
Finding the Epicenter of an Earthquake
Using the Difference in Time Between the P and the S Wave

Station
A
B
C
$Z
$Z
$Z
A
C
B
0 5000 km
Convert scientific notation for the distance to the epicenter for each station
NSF Funded CUNY GK-12 Science NOW Project
Finding the Epicenter of an Earthquake
Using the Difference in Time Between the P and the S Wave

$Z
$Z
$Z
A
C
B
0 5000 km
Using the scale bar below as the
reference, scribe a circle around
the three points using a
compass, string, or scrap paper.
3600 km
Distance to the
Epicenter
3,600

km

5,000

km
7,600

km
Station
A
B
C
Scribe the arc for Station A using the map scale distance
$Z
$Z
$Z
A
C
B
0 5000 km
NSF Funded CUNY GK-12 Science NOW Project
Finding the Epicenter of an Earthquake
Using the Difference in Time Between the P and the S Wave

The two circles cross at two
points. A third circle is needed
to confirm the earthquake
epicenter.
5000 km
Distance to the
Epicenter
3,600

km

5,000

km
7,600

km
Station
A
B
C
Scribe the arc for Station B using the map scale distance
$Z
$Z
$Z
A
C
B
0 5000 km
NSF Funded CUNY GK-12 Science NOW Project
Finding the Epicenter of an Earthquake
Using the Difference in Time Between the P and the S Wave

3600 km
All three arcs must pass through
the earthquake epicenter, in
this case, the San Andreas fault
in California, USA.
Using scrap paper.
Distance to the
Epicenter
3,600

km

5,000

km
7,600

km
Station
A
B
C
If the distance is longer than the scale, use scrap paper to extend the scale.
$Z
$Z
$Z
A
C
B
0 5000 km
NSF Funded CUNY GK-12 Science NOW Project
Finding the Epicenter of an Earthquake
Using the Difference in Time Between the P and the S Wave

3600 km
All three arcs must pass through
the earthquake epicenter, in
this case, the San Andreas fault
in California, USA.
Using scrap paper.
Where the three arcs cross is the epicenter Circle it!