ES-5.3-Locating the Source of an Earthquake

Multiple Choice

BELLRINGER:

What is the difference between the epicenter and the hypocenter (focus) of an earthquake?

• The epicenter is underground while the hypocenter is on the surface.

• The epicenter is the point on the surface above the earthquake's origin, while the hypocenter is the actual underground location where the earthquake begins.

• The epicenter is where the most damage occurs, while the hypocenter is where the least damage occurs.

• The epicenter is always in the ocean, while the hypocenter is always on land.

Multiple Choice

Why is it important for seismologists to locate the source of an earthquake?

• To predict future earthquakes

• To understand the impact zones and help with disaster response

• To measure the temperature of the Earth's core

• To find new mineral resources

Multiple Choice

Which of the following statements best explains why S waves arrive after P waves at seismic stations?

• S waves travel slower than P waves.

• S waves start later than P waves.

• S waves are blocked by the Earth's core.

• S waves are weaker than P waves.

Open Ended

Explain how the interval between P and S wave arrivals can be used to estimate the distance from a seismic station to an earthquake epicenter.

Multiple Select

Which steps are involved in determining the distance to an earthquake epicenter using seismograms?

• Measure the P-S interval on a seismogram.

• Use a travel-time graph to relate interval to distance.

• Draw a vertical line to the horizontal axis to read distance.

• Estimate the earthquake's magnitude from the amplitude.

Fill in the Blanks

The process of using three or more seismic stations to pinpoint the exact location of an earthquake epicenter is called

.