Name: Date: Lab Period: Locating the Epicenter of an | Chegg.com - Free Printable
Educational worksheet: Name: Date: Lab Period: Locating the Epicenter of an | Chegg.com. Download and print for classroom or home learning activities.
PNG
770×1024
270.2 KB
Free · Personal Use
Quality Assured by Worksheets Library Team
Reviewed for educational accuracy and age-appropriateness
ID: #1526502
⭐
Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Name: Date: Lab Period: Locating the Epicenter of an | Chegg.com
▼
Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Name: Date: Lab Period: Locating the Epicenter of an | Chegg.com
To solve this task, we need to fill in the Data Table by analyzing the seismograph tracings for each city. Here’s how we can do it step by step:
For each city, we need to find the times when the P-waves and S-waves arrive. The P-wave is the first wave to arrive, and the S-wave is the second.
#### Balboa Heights, Panama
- P-wave Arrival Time: Look at the first significant spike after the 15-minute mark. It appears to be around 17 minutes.
- S-wave Arrival Time: Look at the second significant spike. It appears to be around 23 minutes.
#### Boulder, Colorado
- P-wave Arrival Time: The first significant spike is around 16 minutes.
- S-wave Arrival Time: The second significant spike is around 21 minutes.
#### Mexico City, Mexico
- P-wave Arrival Time: The first significant spike is around 18 minutes.
- S-wave Arrival Time: The second significant spike is around 24 minutes.
Subtract the P-wave arrival time from the S-wave arrival time for each city.
#### Balboa Heights, Panama
- Difference: 23 minutes - 17 minutes = 6 minutes
#### Boulder, Colorado
- Difference: 21 minutes - 16 minutes = 5 minutes
#### Mexico City, Mexico
- Difference: 24 minutes - 18 minutes = 6 minutes
Using a P and S Travel Time Curve (which is not provided but typically available in such labs), we can find the distance to the epicenter based on the time difference. For simplicity, let's assume the following approximate distances based on typical travel time curves:
- A 5-minute difference corresponds to approximately 3000 km.
- A 6-minute difference corresponds to approximately 4000 km.
| City | P-wave Arrival Time | S-wave Arrival Time | Difference Between P-wave and S-wave | Distance to Epicenter |
|-----------------|---------------------|---------------------|--------------------------------------|-----------------------|
| Balboa Heights | 17 min | 23 min | 6 min | 4000 km |
| Boulder | 16 min | 21 min | 5 min | 3000 km |
| Mexico City | 18 min | 24 min | 6 min | 4000 km |
Final Answer:
The completed Data Table is as follows:
| City | P-wave Arrival Time | S-wave Arrival Time | Difference Between P-wave and S-wave | Distance to Epicenter |
|-----------------|---------------------|---------------------|--------------------------------------|-----------------------|
| Balboa Heights | 17 min | 23 min | 6 min | 4000 km |
| Boulder | 16 min | 21 min | 5 min | 3000 km |
| Mexico City | 18 min | 24 min | 6 min | 4000 km |
Step 1: Identify P-wave and S-wave Arrival Times
For each city, we need to find the times when the P-waves and S-waves arrive. The P-wave is the first wave to arrive, and the S-wave is the second.
#### Balboa Heights, Panama
- P-wave Arrival Time: Look at the first significant spike after the 15-minute mark. It appears to be around 17 minutes.
- S-wave Arrival Time: Look at the second significant spike. It appears to be around 23 minutes.
#### Boulder, Colorado
- P-wave Arrival Time: The first significant spike is around 16 minutes.
- S-wave Arrival Time: The second significant spike is around 21 minutes.
#### Mexico City, Mexico
- P-wave Arrival Time: The first significant spike is around 18 minutes.
- S-wave Arrival Time: The second significant spike is around 24 minutes.
Step 2: Calculate the Difference Between P-wave and S-wave Arrival Times
Subtract the P-wave arrival time from the S-wave arrival time for each city.
#### Balboa Heights, Panama
- Difference: 23 minutes - 17 minutes = 6 minutes
#### Boulder, Colorado
- Difference: 21 minutes - 16 minutes = 5 minutes
#### Mexico City, Mexico
- Difference: 24 minutes - 18 minutes = 6 minutes
Step 3: Determine the Distance to Epicenter
Using a P and S Travel Time Curve (which is not provided but typically available in such labs), we can find the distance to the epicenter based on the time difference. For simplicity, let's assume the following approximate distances based on typical travel time curves:
- A 5-minute difference corresponds to approximately 3000 km.
- A 6-minute difference corresponds to approximately 4000 km.
Final Data Table
| City | P-wave Arrival Time | S-wave Arrival Time | Difference Between P-wave and S-wave | Distance to Epicenter |
|-----------------|---------------------|---------------------|--------------------------------------|-----------------------|
| Balboa Heights | 17 min | 23 min | 6 min | 4000 km |
| Boulder | 16 min | 21 min | 5 min | 3000 km |
| Mexico City | 18 min | 24 min | 6 min | 4000 km |
Final Answer:
The completed Data Table is as follows:
| City | P-wave Arrival Time | S-wave Arrival Time | Difference Between P-wave and S-wave | Distance to Epicenter |
|-----------------|---------------------|---------------------|--------------------------------------|-----------------------|
| Balboa Heights | 17 min | 23 min | 6 min | 4000 km |
| Boulder | 16 min | 21 min | 5 min | 3000 km |
| Mexico City | 18 min | 24 min | 6 min | 4000 km |
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of earthquake epicenter worksheet.