Earthquake location

In this activity, students are introduced to some of the methods scientists use to record earthquakes. They obtain data from tables and graphs, carry out simple calculations and draw results on a map.

By the end of this activity, students should be able to:

• use seismograms from three recording stations to locate the epicentre of an earthquake
• measure the difference in arrival time of P-waves and S-waves, and read the distance from epicentre from a graph
• plot the epicentre location on a map
• investigate the area affected by the earthquake
• write a report that includes a prediction of possible damage, based on type of landscape, human and environmental features.

Rights: The University of Waikato Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato

Seismic waves

When an earthquake occurs shockwaves of energy, called seismic waves, are released from the earthquake focus. They shake the Earth and temporarily turn soft deposits, such as clay, into jelly (liquefaction).

Download the Word file (see below) for:

• introduction/background
• what you need
• what to do
• student instructions
• seismograms from three North Island recording stations
• graph for calculating distance from epicentre
• outline map of North Island.

Rights: Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake

Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake

Find out more about the Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake at www.naturalhazards.govt.nz.