10

Science
Quarter 1 – Module 3
Earthquake Epicenters using
Triangulation Method

Science – Grade 10
Quarter 1 – Module 1: Title
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RAYMOND T. TORALDE
 MOST ESSENTIAL
LEARNING
COMPETENCY

Describe the distribution of

Active Volcanoes, Earthquake
Epicenters and Major Mountain Belts
S10ES -IA-j36.1

Supplementary Learning Module for Junior High School Learners

 LESSON
Earthquake Epicenters using Triangulation Method

Earthquakes are naturally occurring phenomena caused by the continuous

movement of the plates beneath us. Scientist are continuously observing
its behavior and movement to identify its location. One of the ways the scientist used to
locate the earthquake is to locate its epicenter using the triangulation method.

You have learned in your Grade 8 Science that an earthquake releases three types of
seismic waves; Primary (P-waves), Secondary (S-waves), and Long Surface Waves
(Lwaves). The first two travel into the Earth’s interior while the last one on the surface. These
waves travel in different velocities; thus, does not arrive at a seismic recording station at the
same time. The farther the recording instrument is from the focus, the greater the difference
in arrival time will tell us the distance of the earthquake’s focus from the seismic recording
station. The difference in the arrival time will tell us the distance of the earthquake’s focus
from the seismic recording station.

Reference: Science 10 Leaner’s Material page 7

YOUR TARGET

Locating the epicenters of the earthquake e is

important in identifying the fault that ruptured the
earthquake. In order to do this, we need to use
triangulation method. Would you like to learn how?
to use the triangulation method?

Read and perform the activities in this module .

1. Compute mathematically the distance

of an epicenter.
2. Locate the epicenter of an earthquake
using the triangulation method.
 TRY THIS

Directions: Read the questions carefully. Choose the letter of the correct answer.

1. What is the study of earthquakes and seismic waves that move through and
around the earth?
A. Meteorology C. Seismology
B. Volcanology D. Geology
2. What are the waves of energy caused by the sudden breaking of rock within
the earth or an explosion?
A. Body wave C. Seismic wave
B. Primary wave D. Secondary wave
3. What is the wave that can travel through the earth’s inner layer?
A. Body wave C. Seismic wave
B. Primary wave D. Secondary wave
4. What is the fastest type of seismic wave that arrives first in the seismic
station?
A. Body wave C. Surface wave
B. Primary wave D. Secondary wave
5. What is the second wave you feel when there is an earthquake?
A. Body wave C. Surface wave
B. Primary wave D. Secondary wave

Hi! How did you find the test?

Please check your answers at the answer key

section and see how you
u did.!

DO IT!

Ddirections: Study the picture below and answer the

question.

PWave. Retrieved
from

1. Among the types of waves, which is detected first in the seismograph?

_______________________________________________________
2. What is the interval between the P and S Waves?
 _______________________________________________________

The distance of a seismic station from an

earthquake is easily determined from the S -P
interval, the time difference between the time of
arrival of the first P wave and the first S wave.
That’s why we need to record the interval of P
and S Waves.

Let’s fi nd out more in the next activity!

EXPLORE

ACTIVITY 1: LAG TIME!

Using the earthquake chart below, record the p -wave and S - wave. Compute for the
lag time by subtracting S-wave and P-wave.

Finding the epicenter. Retrieved from

Lag Time
Station P-wave S-wave (S-wave –
Pwave)
(153 s-18 s) =
Example: Chicago 18 seconds 153 seconds
135 seconds
Kansas City 61 seconds 167 seconds (167 s-61 s) = 106
seconds
Santa Barbara 32 seconds 110 seconds (110 s-32 s) = 78
seconds
Seattle 78 seconds 139 seconds (139 s-78 s) = 61
seconds
 ACTIVITY 2: HOW FAR I’LL GO?

Directions: Compute for the distance of the epicenter to the different station. Using
the data for Lag Time on Activity 1: Lag Time!

To compute, follow the formula:

𝑻𝒅
𝒅= 𝒙 𝟏𝟎𝟎

𝒌𝒎

𝟖 𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒔

Where: d=distance (km)

Td= time difference in the arrival time of P-wave and S-wave (Lag Time)
Lag Time (S-wave Distance of the epicenter to
Station
– P-wave) the station (km)
𝟏𝟑𝟓 𝒔
𝒅= 𝒙 𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝒌𝒎
Example: Chicago 135 seconds 𝟖 𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒔

= 1,687.5 km
Kansas City 106 𝒔
𝒅= 𝒙 𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝒌𝒎
106 seconds 𝟖 𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒔

= 1,325 km
Santa Barbara 78 𝒔
𝒅= 𝒙 𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝒌𝒎
78 seconds 𝟖 𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒔

= 975 km
Seattle 61 𝒔
𝒅= 𝒙 𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝒌𝒎
61 seconds 𝟖 𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒔

= 762.5 km
 KEEP THIS IN MIND

Earthquake releases thr ee types of seismic waves; Primary (P -waves),

Secondary (S-waves), and Long Surface Waves (L-waves). These waves travel in
different velocities; thus, does not arrive at a seismic recording station at the same
time. The difference in the arrival time will tell us the distance of the earthquake’s
focus from the seismic recording station.

To determine the distance of the epicenter, we need to identify the interval

between the P and S waves. In an earthquake, the P wave arrive the seismic station
first followed by the S wave. So, you need to subtract the time the S- Wave arrived
the seismic station with the time the P- Wave arrived. After identifying the lag time or
the time difference between the P and S Wave, we can now identify the distance of
the epicenter to the seismic station. To do this, we need to divide the lag time by 8
seconds then multiply it by 100 km as shown in the formula below:

𝑻𝒅
𝒅= 𝒙 𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝒌𝒎
𝟖 𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒔

Where: d=distance (km)

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

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

Reference: Science 10 Leaner’s Material page 7

APPLY WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED

Direction: Compute for the distance of the epicenter to the station using the
earthquake chart below.
 Finding the epicenter. Retrieved from

Distance of
the epicenter
Station P-Wave S-wave Lag Time
from the
station
Newport 13 seconds 170 seconds 157 seconds 1962.5 km
Tucson 16 seconds 140 seconds 124 seconds 1550 km
Rockville 39 seconds 140 seconds 101 seconds 1262.5 km
McMinnville 13 seconds 170 seconds 157 seconds 1962.5 km

[;P

Were you able to get the lag time and the

distance of the epicenter from the stations?

Great! I think
you are now ready for the next
activity!

https://illustoon.com/?id=4194

DO IT!

Directions: Identify the different parts of the cross section of an earthquake. Choose
your answer from the choices below.
 1.

4.

2.

5.

3.

Finding the epicenter. Retrieved from

https://www.twinkl.com/resource/t -t2-059 -earthquake -cross -section -labelling -activity

fault line ttectonic plate hypocenterr

Earth’ Crust epicenter

Were you able to identify the different parts of

the
earthquake?

Excellent!

One of the most important part there is the

epicenter because it helps us locate the origin
of the earthquake. During the previous activity
you were able to compute the distance of the
epicenter to the different seismic station. So
how can this help us locate the epicenter?
Let’s find out more in the next activity!
https://illustoon.com/?id=4191
 Activity: Th e Epicenter
Directions: Locate the epicenter of an
earthquake using the triangulation method. Follow the procedure below.
Use a compass and a pencil.

Procedure:

1. Using a Philippine Map, locate the epicenter of an earthquake.

2. Center your compass on the station you have chosen. Set your compass on the
computed distance. Draw a circle.
3. You should get three circles that intersect or nearly intersect at a point. This
intersection is the EPICENTER.
4. Circle the epicenter in RED.

Time difference in the

Distance of Epicenter
Recording Station arrival time of P-Wave
from the station (km)
and S-Wave (seconds)

Batangas 44.8 560

Puerto Princesa 32 400

Davao 38.4 480

Source: East Asia/ Southeast Asia: Philippines – The Factbook. Retrieved from
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/attachments/maps/RP-map.gif
 Great Job! I hope you we’re ableot locates the
epicenter of the earthquake. Remember the step
by step process so that you may use it in the
future!

KEEP THIS
IN MIND

If we have at least three recording stations that can tell how far away from
them the earthquake occurred, the epicenter can be determined using the
triangulation method. It uses distance information from three seismic stations to
locate the earthquake epicenter.

On map, circles are drawn around each seismic station. The radii of the
circles are scaled to the estimated distances from the station to the earthquake.

Image Source: Mike Sammartano. (2013, December 16) Earthquake Epicenter

Triangulation. Screenshot retrieved from

The three circles will intersect at one point that locates the earthquake. The
point of intersection is the location of the epicenter.
Image Source: Triangulation. Screenshot retrieved from Mike Sammartano. (2013, December 16) Earthquake
Epicenter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBS7BKqHRhs

Now you understand how we can locate

epicenters using three seismic stations. I hope
that it would help you.

You can also watch ithere:

Mike Sammartano(2013, December 16)

 Retrieved from

APPLY WHAY YOU HAVE LEARNED

Direction: Locate the epicenter of the earthquake using the triangulation method.
Time difference
Distance of
Recording of the S- wave Distance in cm
epicenter to the
Station and P-wave 1cm = 1000 km
station (km)
(seconds)
Sitka, Alaska 200 seconds 2500 2.5 cm
Charlotte, N.C. 280 seconds 3500 3.5 cm
Honolulu, Hawaii 360 seconds 4500 4.5 cm

https://www.medford.k12.nj.us/cms/lib/NJ01001377/Centricity/Domain/88/Earthquake%20Epicenter%20Lesson% 203%20with
%20header.pdf
 Congratulations for finishing the module! I hope you
had fun!

Now, you can share your insights about the lesson.

REF LECT

For the last time, share your insights

and queries.

Things I’ve learned today _________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

I wish to ask about_____________________________________________

__
_____________________________________
_________________________
______________________________________________________________

REINFORCEMENT

1. Identify the distance of the epicenter to the seismic station if you use the
Distance-Time Graph. Watch “Finding the Distance to the Epicenter from a
Seismic Station” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lC--uXieK9s

2. Use the Distance-Time Graph below to answer the given problem.

a. Problem: The seismograph detects the arrival of the P-Wave at exactly 9:08
followed by the arrival of the S-wave at 9:15 am. What is a.) the lag time
between the P and S Wave b.) the distance of the epicenter to the seismic
station?
 Write your
answer HERE
 VOCABULARY

The following terms used in this module are defined as follows:

Earthquake – vibration of earth due to the rapid release of energy.

Epicenter - is the point on the Earth's surface directly above a hypocenter or focus,
the point where an earthquake or an underground explosion originates.

Lag Time- The time difference, as recorded on a clock, between when the P-waves
and S-waves arrive.

Primary (P) Wave- the first type of seismic wave to be recorded in a seismic station.

Secondary (S) Wave- second type of earthquake wave to be recorded in a seismic

station.

Seismic - of, subject to, or caused by an earthquake.

Seismic Station-a station recording movements of the earth’s surface caused by

earthquakes.

Seismograph -an apparatus to measure and record vibrations within the earth and
of the ground.

Triangulation - is a way of determining something's location using the locations of

other things. It is commonly used by geologists to find the locations of Earthquakes.

ANSWER KEY

Try This!

1. C 2. C 3. A 4. B 5. D