Science- Grade 10

Earthquake Epicenters Using Triangulation Method

I. INTRODUCTORY CONCEPT

Earthquakes are naturally occurring phenomena caused by the continuous

movement of the plates beneath us. Scientists are continuously observing its
behaviour and movement to identify its location. One of the ways that scientists use
in locating earthquake is by locating its epicentre 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 (L-waves). The first two travel into the Earth’s interior while the last one
travels 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 that 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 Learner’s Material page 7

II. LEARNING COMPETENCIES

Describe the distribution of Active Volcanoes, Earthquake Epicenters and

Major Mountain Belts (S10ES-Ia-j36.1)

Objectives:
1. Identify the different parts of the cross section of an earthquake;
2. Compute mathematically the distance of an epicenter; and
3. Locate the epicenter of an earthquake using the triangulation method.

III. ACTIVITIES
3.1 ELICIT:

Direction: 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

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2. Of the following seismic waves, which is caused by the sudden breaking of rock
within the earth?
A. Body wave C. Seismic wave
B. Primary wave D. Secondary wave

3. Which 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. Which of the following is the fastest type of seismic wave?

A. Body wave C. Seismic wave
B. Primary wave D. Secondary wave

5. What is the second wave that you can feel when there is an earthquake?
A. Body wave C. Seismic wave
B. Primary wave D. Secondary wave

3.2 ENGAGE:
Activity 1: What’s on the Picture

Study the pictures.

1. What do you think is depicted in picture A? What is the cause of destruction?

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

2. Picture B is a graphical illustration of Picture A. From the label, what is the source
of this destruction?
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

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 Activity 2: P & S Waves
Directions: Study the picture and answer the question.

https://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Research_articles_predict_next_earthquake#/media/File:Pwave.png

Guide Questions:
1. Among the types of wave, which is detected first in the seismograph?
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________

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

______________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

Activity 3: Inside the Earthquake

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 tectonic plate hypocenter Earth’s Crust epicenter

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3.3 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

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yne6XoF5V0rPflJKMzocrxCxlZodP_OhnArBgoyxVo/edit?pli=1

Lag Time
Station P-wave S-wave
(S-wave – P-wave)

Example:
18 seconds 153 seconds (153 s – 18 s)=135s
Chicago

Kansas City

Santa Barbara

Seattle

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 ACTIVITY 2: HOW FAR I’LL GO?

Direction: Compute for the distance of the epicenter to the different stations. To
compute, follow the formula:

Where: d=distance (km)

Lag Time Distance of the epicenter

Station
(S-wave – P-wave) to the station (km)

Chicago 135 seconds 𝟏𝟑𝟓 𝒔

𝒅 𝒙 𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝒌𝒎
𝟖 𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒔
=1,687.5 km

Kansas City

Santa Barbara

Seattle

Guide Questions:

1. Among the different stations, (Chicago, Kansas City, Santa Barbara and
Seattle) which is farthest to the epicenter? What is its distance?
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________

2. Among the different stations, (Chicago, Kansas City, Santa Barbara and
Seattle) which is nearest to the epicenter? Why?
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________

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 Source: East Asia/ Southeast Asia: Philippines – The Factbook. Retrieved from
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/attachments/maps/RP-map.gif

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3.4 EXPLAIN:

An earthquake releases three 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 at the seismic
station first followed by the S wave, you need to subtract the time the S- Wave
arrived the seismic station with the time the P- waves arrived. After identifying the lag
time or the time difference between the P and S waves, 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:

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-waves and S-waves at a distance of 100 km.

The Primary and Secondary waves travel into the Earth’s interior while the
Long Surface Waves travel 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.

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

On the 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.

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 Image Source: Mike Sammartano. (2013, December 16) Earthquake Epicenter Triangulation.
Screenshot retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBS7BKqHRhs

The three circles will intersect at one point that locates the earthquake. The
point of intersection is the location of the epicenter.

Image Source: Mike Sammartano. (2013, December 16) Earthquake Epicenter Triangulation.
Screenshot retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBS7BKqHRhs

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3.5 ELABORATE:

Activity 3: The 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 at 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 epicenters 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

1. From Activity 3: Where is the epicenter of this hypothetical earthquake?

______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________

2. Which province on the map is closest to the earthquake epicenter? How far in
kilometers is this province from the epicenter?

3. In which of the 3 provinces listed in the data table would seismograph detect
the earthquake first? last?

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 ______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________

4. What happens to the difference in the arrival time between P wave and S
wave as the distance from the earthquake increases?
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
5. What difficulty will you encounter if you only have data from the two recording
stations?
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________

3.6 EVALUATION:

Direction: Choose the letter of the correct answer.

1. You were asked to locate the epicenter of a recent earthquake. Which correct
sequence of events should you follow?

i. Determine the difference in the arrival time of S and P waves recorded

from each of the seismological stations.
ii. Use the triangulation method to locate the center.
iii. Obtain data from the three different seismological stations.
iv. Determine the distance of the epicenter from the station.
A. i, iii, ii, iv B. iii, i, iv, ii C. iii, iv, i, ii D. iv, ii, i, iii

2. You were provided with data showing the arrival time of the P and S waves
recorded from three seismic stations. Which of these can you possibly
determine?
A. the damage at the focus C. the intensity of the earthquake
B. the distance to the earthquake D. the location of the epicenter

3. From the seismogram, the distance to the epicenter can be determined by

measuring _____________.
A. the arrival time of surface wave
B. the difference in the arrival times of the P and S waves.
C. the ratio of the amplitude of the largest P and S waves.
D. the speed of the surface wave.

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4. What is the distance of the epicenter from a certain recording station if the
difference in arrival time of P and S waves is 1 minute in 10 seconds?
A. 850 km C. 900 km
B. 875 km D. 925 km

5. Locating an earthquake’s epicenter is important because it will pinpoint________.

A. fault line C. plate boundary
B. focus D. another epicenter

3.7 EXTEND:
Activity 1: Compute the Distance

Compute for the distance of the epicenter to the station using the earthquake chart
below.

Finding the epicenter. Retrieved from

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yne6XoF5V0rPflJKMzocrxCxlZodP_OhnArBgoyxVo/edit?pli=1

Distance of
the
P-wave S-wave Lag Time epicenter
Station
from the
station
Newport
Tucson
Rockville
McMinville

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 Activity 2: Locate the Epicenter
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
Charlotte, N.C. 280 seconds
Honolulu, Hawaii 360 seconds

https://www.medford.k12.nj.us/cms/lib/NJ01001377/Centricity/Domain/88/Earthquake%20Epic
enter%20Lesson%203%20with%20header.pdf

IV. REFLECTION

I have learned that ______________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________

I wish to ask my teacher about _____________________________________

______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________

V. ANSWER KEY

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Elicit:

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

Engage:
Activity 1: What’s in the Picture
- Answers may vary
Activity 2: P & S Waves

1. P-Wave
2. 10 seconds
Activity 2: Inside the Earthquake
1. Earth’s Crust
2. Epicenter
3. Hypocenter
4. Fault line
5. Tectonic plate

Explore
Activity: Lag Time!

Lag Time
Station P-wave S-wave (S-wave – P-
wave)
Chicago 18 secs 153 secs 135 secs
Kansas City 58 secs 174 secs 116 secs
Santa Barbara 29 secs 108 secs 79 secs
Seattle 74 secs 138 secs 64 secs

ACTIVITY 2: HOW FAR I’LL GO?

Distance of the
Lag Time
Station epicenter to the station
(S-wave – P-wave)
(km)
Chicago 135 secs 1,687.5 km

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 Kansas City 116 secs 1450 km
Santa Barbara 79 secs 987.5 km
Seattle 64 secs 800 km

Explain:

1. Chicago is the farthest. Its distance is 1, 687.5 km from the epicenter

2. Seattle is the nearest. Its distance is 800 km
3. Since the three circles drawn intersect in Cebu City, it is where the epicenter
is.
4. The nearest is Puerto Princesa, it is 400 km away from the epicenter
5. The first to detect the earthquake is the station from Puerto Princesa and last
is the station from Batangas.
6. The interval also increases.
7. Assuming that the two circles will intersect, the circles will intersect at two
points. Therefore, there will be two locations that could possibly be the
epicenter.

Extend:
Activity 1: Compute the Distance

Station P-Wave S-wave Lag Time Distance of

the epicenter
from the
station
Newport 10 secs 168 secs 158 1,975 km
Tucson 14 secs 136 secs 122 1 525 km
Rockville 37 secs 136 secs 99 1 237.5 km
McMinville 10 secs 168 secs 158 1 975 km

Activity 2: Locate the Epicenter

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
Charlotte, N.C. 280 seconds 3500 3.5
Honolulu, Hawaii 360 seconds 4500 4.5

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Evaluate

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

VI. REFERENCES

 East Asia/ Southeast Asia: Philippines – The Factbook. Retrieved from

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/theworldfactbook/attachments/maps/R
P-map.gif

 Finding the epicenter. Retrieved from

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yne6XoF5V0rPflJKMzocrxCxlZodP_Oh
nArBgoyxVo/edit?pli=1

 Earthquake Epicenter Lesson. Retrieved from

https://www.medford.k12.nj.us/cms/lib/NJ01001377/Centricity/Domain/88/Eart
hquake%20Epicenter%20Lesson%203%20with%20header.pdf

 Kevin Berler (2017, December 12) Finding the Distance to the Epicenter from
a Seismic Station. Youtube. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lC--uXieK9s

 Mike Sammartano. (2013, December 16) Earthquake Epicenter

Triangulation.Youtube. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBS7BKqHRhs

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  Science 10 Learners’ Material pages 7-9

 Earthquakes and Seismology (n.d.) Retrieved from

http://www.columbia.edu/~vjd1/earthquakes.htm

 Seismic. 2020. In Merriam-Webster.com

 Retrieved June 16, 2020, from

https://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/seismic

 Seismograph. 2020. In Merriam-Webster.com

Retrieved June 16, 2020, from
https://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/seismograph

 Seismographic Station. 2003-2020. In the free disctionary.com

 Retrieved June 16, 2020 from

https://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Seismographic+Station

Writer:

SALVE JOY T. BUERE- Teacher I, Zeferino Arroyo High School

Reviewers:

MANUEL LUIS F. TEODORO- EPS Science, Masbate Province

HELEN Z. CORNELIO- EPS Science, Iriga City
MARNEL M. BULLO- Teacher III, Cataingan NHS
ELENITA P. FABELLA- Master Teacher II, Palanas North CS

Editors:

LOURDES P. CASTROVERDE, Head Teacher III, Science

Zeferino Arroyo High School
MARISOL D. ANDRADA- Master Teacher I, Sto. Niño National High School
ALVIN C. BORROMEO – Principal II, Bantayan NHS, Tabaco City

Layout Artist:

MYLA ANN A. BERNALES- Teacher I, Rinconada National Technical

Vocational School

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