How many seismograph stations are needed to locate the epicenter of an earthquake A 1 B 2 C 3 D 4?
Three seismographs are needed. A circle is drawn from each of the three different seismograph locations, where the radius of each circle is equal to the distance from that station to the epicenter. The spot where those three circles intersect is the epicenter (Figure 13.12).
Why do you need 3 seismographs to locate an epicenter?
Scientists use triangulation to find the epicenter of an earthquake. When seismic data is collected from at least three different locations, it can be used to determine the epicenter by where it intersects. Every earthquake is recorded on numerous seismographs located in different directions.
How do you find the epicenter of a seismograph?
Using your compass, draw a circle with a radius equal to the number you came up with in Step #2 (the radius is the distance from the center of a circle to its edge). The center of the circle will be the location of your seismograph. The epicenter of the earthquake is somewhere on the edge of that circle.
What was the minimum number of stations necessary to locate an epicenter?
three stationsExplainthat at least three stations are necessary to find the epicenter of an earthquake. Also explain that although three stations is the minimum, often seismologists use more than three, and the more they use the more accurate the location of the epicenter becomes.
What is the epicenter of an earthquake?
The epicenter is the point on the earth's surface vertically above the hypocenter (or focus), point in the crust where a seismic rupture begins.
Why do we need to know the epicenter of an earthquake?
Locating the epicenter It is important to people hearing the reports of a major earthquake to know approximately where the earthquake is located. Scientists know people can get a better understanding where an earthquake occurred if they give the information relative to towns and cities in an area.
Why is it inadequate to only use two seismographs to determine the epicenter of an earthquake?
Explanation. No, the data from two seismograph stations would be insufficient. There should be data coming from 3 seismograph stations in order to locate the epicenter of an earthquake. This is called the triangulation method.
Where can you locate the epicenter of the earthquake from the three circle drawn?
To find an earthquake epicenter you need at least three seismographs. Find the distance from each seismograph to the earthquake epicenter. The interception of the three circles is the epicenter.
Why can seismic waves be used to determine structures and materials within the Earth?
Answer 1: Seismic waves, the waves of energy that travel through the Earth as a result of an earthquake can tell us a lot about the internal structure of the Earth because these waves travel at different speeds in different materials. There are two types of waves that travel through the Earth: p-waves and s-waves.