EARTH AND SPACE

2 Locating the Epicenter

Seismologists can locate the epicenter of an earthquake by using triangulation method. When
seismic data is collected from at least three (3) different locations, it can be used to determine the
epicenter of an earthquake by where it intersects. Hence, scientists need at least three (3) seismic
stations to clearly identify the location.

What I Need to Know

In this particular lesson, you will be

able to learn about locating the
epicenter and hypocenter; Identify the
different scales used in determining the
magnitude an earthquake.

This lesson will help you master the nature of Earth and Space, specifically locating the
earthquake’s epicenter. The scope of this module is geared towards its usability in various learning
situations; its language is adapted to the needs of diverse learners; and its lessons do agree to the
sequences of the course. Also, its order is flexible and can be changed depending on the textbook
you are currently using.

After going through this lesson, you are expected to:

1. Differentiate epicenter from hypocenter of an earthquake; and
2. Identify the different measurements used to determinine the magnitude of an
earthquake.

What I Know -Monday

Multiple Choice: Select the best answer from the given choices and write it in CAPITAL LETTER on
a separate sheet of paper.
1. By determining the starting point, we can locate the epicenter of an earthquake. Which waves
should we trace first?
A. First P wave and the first S wave
B. Second P wave and the second S wave
C. Third P wave and the third S wave
D. Fourth P wave and the fourth S wave

2. When will an earthquake occur?

A. Air on the ground evaporates along a fault.
B. Rocks underground suddenly breaks along a fault.
C. Soil on the ground was suddenly eroded by a flash flood.
D. Water underground usually breaks along a fault.

3. What is the exact location of the epicenter on the surface of the Earth?
A. Beneath where the earthquake starts.
B. Directly above where the earthquake starts.
C. Located at the center where the earthquake starts.
D. Right beside where the earthquake starts.

4. What will be the starting point to be traced to locate the epicenter of an earthquake?
A. First P wave and the first S wave
B. Second P wave and the second S wave
C. Third P wave and the third S wave
D. Fourth P wave and the fourth S wave

5. The significance of locating an earthquake’s epicenter is to ______________.

A. identify the fault that did not rupture causing the earthquake.
B. increase the confidence in the hazard exhibiting in the area.
C. locate the epicenter that can be used as plate boundary.
D. lessen the confidence in the hazard exhibiting in the area.

6. If a Magnitude 10 earthquakes occur, what are its possible effects?

A. destroys some well-built wooden structures
B. felt by only a few
C. not felt by many
D. slight damages to specially designed structures
7. What is the point on the surface directly above the seismic focus called?
A. fault B. seismic focus C. focus D. epicenter

8. How is the magnitude of an earthquake measured? Through the use of a/an ___________.
A. Digital scale B. Inverted scale C. Richter scale D. Weighing scale

9. What best decribes the distribution of an earthquake’s epicenter?

 A. The location of an earthquake’s epicenter can be used to define plate boundaries.
B. Plate tectonic activity has nothing to do with the earth’s tectonic activity.
C. The epicenter of an earthquake is derived from microseismic data.
D. None of the choices.

10. Which of the following statements is true about a seismologists’ prediction on earthquake?
A. Predict 50% of all earthquakes.
B. Accurately predict when an earthquake occurs.
C. Predict the time and location of all earthquakes.
D. Characterize the seismic risk of an area, but cannot yet accurately predict most
earthquakes.

11. Where does the first motion of an earthquake occur?

A. core B. epicenter C. fault D. focus

12. Given the diagram below, where does the epicenter occur?

A. 1 B. 2 C. 3 D. 4

13. Where does the focus occur in the diagram in question number 12?
A. 1 B. 2 C. 3 D. 4

14. What method do seismologists use in locating an epicenter?

A. Focus Group Discussion
B. Interview
C. Observation
D. Triangulation

15. An area where an earthquake occurs is called ______________.

A. crust B. epicenter C. fault D. focus

What’s In

In the previous lesson, you have learned about earthquakes, surface waves and body waves.
Earthquake is a sudden and violent shaking of the ground caused by the movements of the earth’s
crust or volcanic eruption leading to destruction.

Seismologists, the scientists who study earthquakes, have proven that seismic waves are
caused by the sudden breaking apart located within the earth or the slipping of tectonic plates.
The study of earthquakes and the waves they created is called seismology (from the Greek word
“seismos” which means “to shake”). During an earthquake, there is a sudden release of stored
energy in the Earth’s crust thus, seismic waves are formed. Sometimes, they cause tsunamis and
fire which may lead to loss of life and huge damage to property.

What’s New (Monday)

Arrange the letters to form a word. Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.

1. Iriantnolguat - ____________________
2. cfsuo - ____________________
3. eneirpcte - ____________________
4. utfla - ____________________
5. aeaqerhktu - ____________________

What Is It

Location of an Epicenter
The epicenter is usually the location where the waves from an earthquake are highly intense.
As a result, it is also the area where the most damage can possibly occur. However, it is not always
the case. If an earthquake is particularly large, it may run across a large section of a plate boundary.
In this case, the epicenter might only be one of the many hotspot areas and the damage could be
greater elsewhere.

Fig. 2.1. An
earthquake
showing the
Epicenter hypocenter and
epicenter
Hypocenter or focus

How to locate the earthquake epicenter?

 In order to locate the epicenter of an earthquake, you need to determine the time interval
between the arrival of the P and S waves (the S-P interval) on the seismo-grams from at least three
different stations.
Locating the epicenters will determine which fault lines are active. Generally, the less active
fault line stores great amount of potential energy that could cause a major earthquake once
released. Hence, areas near fault lines that remain inactive for a long period of time are prone to
experience a major earthquake.
The distance between the beginning of the first P wave and the first S wave tells you how
many seconds the waves are apart. This number will be used to tell you how far your seismograph is
from the epicenter of the earthquake. In order to locate the epicenter, the distance between the first
P wave and the first S wave is measured.

What causes an earthquake?

An earthquake is caused by a sudden slip on a fault. The tectonic plates are always slowly
moving, but they get stuck at their edges due to friction. Figure 2.2 shows an earthquake that took
place in the Philippines. The area where an earthquake occurs is called fault, or where the surface
slipped. In addition, the location below the earth’s surface where the earthquake starts is called the
hypocenter or focus, and the location directly above it on the surface of the earth is called the
epicenter.
The magnitude of an earthquake is based on the measurement of the maximum motion
recorded by a seismograph. The most commonly used are the Local Magnitude (ML) or known as
the Richter magnitude, the surface wave magnitude (Ms), body -wave magnitude (Mb), and
moment magnitude (Mw).

Fig. 2.2 An earthquake aftermath in

Davao City, Philippines
(October 31, 2019)

What’s More (Tuesday)

Answer the following questions on a separate sheet of paper.
1. What is the cause of an earthquake?
____________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________

2. How does a hypocenter differ from an epicenter?

____________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________

3. How can we locate the epicenter of an earthquake?

 ____________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________

4. What are the different measurements used to determine the magnitude of an earthquake?
____________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________

What I Have Learned (Wednesday)

Complete the table below by citing the differences between an epicenter and a hypocenter based
on their characteristics. Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.
Characteristics Epicenter Hypocenter
Location on Earth’s
Surface

Associated waves

What I Can Do
Cite a real scenario that occurs during an Earthquake Drill. (15 points)
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________
 Quiz- Thursday

Multiple Choice: Select the best answer from the given choices and write it in CAPITAL LETTER
on a separate sheet of paper.
1. What is the exact location of the epicenter on the surface of the Earth?
A. Beneath where the earthquake starts.
B. Directly above where the earthquake starts.
C. Located at the center where the earthquake starts.
D. Right beside where the earthquake starts.
2. When will an earthquake occur? It occurs when the__________________.
A. Air on the ground evaporates along a fault.
B. Rocks underground suddenly breaks along a fault.
C. Soil on the ground was suddenly eroded by a flash flood.
D. Water underground usually breaks along a fault.
3. By determining the starting point, we can locate the epicenter of an earthquake. Which waves
should we trace first?
A. First P wave and the first S wave
B. Second P wave and the second S wave
C. Third P wave and the third S wave
D. Fourth P wave and the fourth S wave
4. What will be the starting point to be traced to locate the epicenter of an earthquake?
A. First P wave and the first S wave
B. Second P wave and the second S wave
C. Third P wave and the third S wave
D. Fourth P wave and the fourth S wave
5 . If a Magnitude 10 earthquakes occur, what are its possible effects?
A. destroys some well-built wooden structures
B. felt by only a few
C. not felt by many
D. slight damages to specially designed structures
6. The significance of locating an earthquake’s epicenter is to ______________.
A. identify the fault that did not rupture causing the earthquake.
B. increase the confidence in the hazard exhibiting in the area.
C. locate the epicenter that can be used as plate boundary.
D. lessen the confidence in the hazard exhibiting in the area.
7. What is the point on the surface directly above the seismic focus called?
A. fault B. seismic focus C. focus D. epicenter
8. What best decribes the distribution of an earthquake’s epicenter?
A. The location of an earthquake’s epicenter can be used to define plate
boundaries.
B. Plate tectonic activity has nothing to do with the earth’s tectonic activity.
C. The epicenter of an earthquake is derived from microseismic data.
D. None of the choices.
9. How is the magnitude of an earthquake measured? Through the use of a/an ___________.
A. Digital scale B. Inverted scale C. Richter scale D. Weighing scale
10. Where does the first motion of an earthquake occur?
A. core B. epicenter C. fault D. focus
11. Which of the following statements is true about a seismologists’ prediction on earthquake?
A. Predict 50% of all earthquakes.
B. Accurately predict when an earthquake occurs.
C. Predict the time and location of all earthquakes.
D. Characterize the seismic risk of an area, but cannot yet accurately predict most
earthquakes.
12. Given the diagram below, where does the epicenter occur?

A. 1 B. 2 C. 3 D. 4

13. Where does the focus occur in the diagram in question number 12?
A. 1 B. 2 C. 3 D. 4

14. An area where an earthquake occurs is called ______________.

A. crust B. epicenter C. fault D. focus
15. . What method do seismologists use in locating an epicenter?
A. Focus Group Discussion
B. Interview
C. Observation
D. Triangulation

Additional Activities
Make a diagram showing the epicenter and hypocenter/focus.