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10 ___________ Date:______________

Locating Earthquake Epicenters by “Triangulations”

To accurately pinpoint the location of an earthquake epicenter, we need seismograph date from
a minimum of three locations. Using data from three seismograph stations to locate an earthquake
epicenter is a process known as triangulation.

Triangulation uses distance information from three seismic stations to locate the earthquake
epicenter. On a map, circles are drawn around each station. The radii of the circle are sealed to the
estimated distance from the station to the earthquake. The three circles will intersect at one point that
locates the earthquake.

The following exercise will give you an opportunity to practice the process of triangulation to
locate some earthquake epicenter.

Study the data showing the difference in the arrival time of P-wave and S-wave on the
following seismic recording stations:

Recording Station Time Lag in the Distance (d) Computed Distance

Arrival of P-wave of the Epicenter on the Map (cm)
and S-wave from the Station
(Seconds) (km)
Taal Lake, Batangas 44.8
Puerto Princesa 32
Davao 36.3

Compare the distance of the epicenter from each of the stations using this formula:

d= Time Lagx 100 km

8 seconds

This formula is suited because 8 seconds is the interval between the arrival of the P-wave and S-wave
at a distance of 100 km.

Computations:
STATIONS Distance (d) of the Epicenter Computed Distance
from the Station (km) on the map (cm)

Taal Lake, Batangas

Puerto, Princesa
Procedure:

1. Choose one of the recording stations and measure the computed distance on the map scale. The
scale of the map is 1.5 cm : 200km. Set your compass for that computed distance.

2. Center your compass on the station you have chosen. Draw a circle.

3. Repeat the procedure 1 and 2 for the rest of the stations. You should get three circles that intersect
or nearly intersect at a point. The intersection is the epicenter.

Q1. Where is the epicenter of this hypothetical earthquake?

Q2. What difficulty you will encounter if you have only data from two recording stations?