Earthquakes

On the map, which location is closest to the epicenter of the earthquake?

• Salt Lake City

• Denver

• Las Vegas

• San Diego

Answer explanation

The epicenter is located where all 3 radius circles meet.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

A seismic station is 2,400 KM from the epicenter of an earthquake. Approximately how long did it take the P-wave to arrive?

• 8 minutes 20 seconds

• 1 minute 20 seconds

• 4 minutes 40 seconds

• 5 minutes 40 seconds

Answer explanation

on the bottom of the chart, go to a distance of 2,400. Go up unitl you hit the P-wave line and look to the left to get the p wave travel time.

The epicenter of an earthquake is located 5,000 KM away from a seismic station. If the first S-wave arrived at 2:00 PM, at what time did the first P wave arrive?

• 2:06:40 PM

• 1:16:20 PM

• 2:36:00 PM

• 1:53:20 PM

Answer explanation

ESRT 11

Go to a distance of 5,000 KM.

Find the difference between the S-wave and P-wave arrival time.

Subtrct the difference from 2:00:00 PM (since hte P wave arrives first!)

A seismic station is 4,600 KM from the epicenter, how much time is necessary for the first S-wave to arrive?

• 14 minutes

• 7 minutes 40 seconds

• 8 minutes 20 seconds

• 4 minutes 40 seconds

Answer explanation

ESRT 11

Go to a distance of 4,600 KM.

Follow up until you hit the S-wave line.

Look to the left and determine the minutes.

An earthquake's magnitude (strength) can be determined by

• comparing the speed of P and S waves

• calculating the time the earthquake occurred

• calculating the depth of the earthquake faulting

• analyzing the seismic waves recorded by a seismograph

A huge undersea earthquake can cause a

• hurricane

• thunderstorm

• tsunami

• cyclone

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

Seismic data from only 1 seismic station can show the

• location of the epicenter

• direction of the epicenter

• distance to the epicenter

• depth of the focus

Why do P waves arrive at a seismic station before S waves

• The P waves have a greater velocity

• The P wave originates from the epicenter

• The S wave originates from the focus

• The S wave travels faster trough the crust

The intensity numbers on the Mercalli Scale are determined by

• The arrival time of the first P waves

• The recorded time differences in the arrival of P and S waves

• observations made at different locations during and after the earthquake

• observations made only at the epicenter during the earthquake

Which information is most useful for locating an earthquakes epicenter+

• The difference between the arrival times of the P and S waves

• The arrival of the S waves

• The velocity of the P waves

• The location damage from the earthquake