Question

In this laboratory experiment, you are working as an amateur seismologist to locate the epicenter of a fictional earthquake. Your task involves interpreting seismograms from three seismograph stations. What is the primary purpose of this experiment?

A. To study the composition of the Earth's core
B. To determine the magnitude of the earthquake
C. To locate the epicenter of the earthquake
D. To analyze the geological features of the epicenter

During the experiment, you need to estimate the times of the first arrival of the P waves and the S waves at each seismograph station. What is the main reason for estimating these times?

A. To calculate the speed of the earthquake
B. To determine the earthquake's depth
C. To find the difference between the arrival time of the P wave and the S wave
D. To assess the seismic activity of the region

To determine the distance to the epicenter, you need to convert the time interval between the P wave and S wave arrivals into distance. How do you accomplish this conversion?

A. Using a thermometer
B. Using a map
C. Using a seismograph
D. Using a travel-time graph

You are asked to locate a seismograph station on a map and draw a circle around it with a radius equal to the distance between the station and the epicenter. What is the primary purpose of this step?

A. To identify the latitude and longitude of the station
B. To estimate the magnitude of the earthquake
C. To triangulate the epicenter of the earthquake
D. To measure the depth of the earthquake's focus

Which of the following represents the correct sequence of steps in this seismology experiment?

A. Interpreting seismograms, estimating the distance to the epicenter, locating the seismograph station
B. Locating the seismograph station, estimating the distance to the epicenter, interpreting seismograms
C. Estimating the distance to the epicenter, locating the seismograph station, interpreting seismograms
D. Locating the seismograph station, interpreting seismograms, estimating the distance to the epicenter

Answer 1

In the laboratory experiment, the primary purpose is to locate the epicenter of an earthquake by interpreting seismograms. The arrival times of P waves and S waves are estimated to find their difference, which helps in calculating the distance to the epicenter using a travel-time graph. The epicenter is then triangulated using this information from at least three seismograph stations.

Step-by-step explanation:

The primary purpose of the laboratory experiment, where you are acting as an amateur seismologist to locate the epicenter of a fictional earthquake, is C. To locate the epicenter of the earthquake. This is achieved by interpreting seismograms from three seismograph stations.

The main reason for estimating the arrival times of the P waves and the S waves is C. To find the difference between the arrival time of the P wave and the S wave. This time difference is crucial for determining the distance from the seismograph station to the earthquake's epicenter.

Conversion of the time interval between the P wave and S wave arrivals into distance is accomplished D. Using a travel-time graph. This graph correlates the time difference to the distance, using known speeds at which P waves and S waves travel through the Earth.

The primary purpose of drawing a circle around a seismograph station with a radius equal to the distance to the epicenter is C. To triangulate the epicenter of the earthquake. By drawing circles around at least three stations, their intersection will show the epicenter's location.

The correct sequence of steps in the seismology experiment is A. Interpreting seismograms, estimating the distance to the epicenter, locating the seismograph station. These steps are followed to accurately identify the earthquake's epicenter.