Locating and Measuring Earthquakes

Seismographs

detect and record waves produced by earthquakes, the data used to locate epicentres and to measure magnitude three different types record up-and-down motions, and side-to-side motions (in both north-south and east-west directions) the base is secured in bedrock, with a weight attached such that it remains still, even when the bedrock and base are being shaken by an earthquake a clock-driven, revolving drum is attached to the base on which a seismogram (record sheet) is placed a pen attached to the weight rests on the drum and traces out the pattern made as the drum moves

if the bedrock is not moving, the pen traces out a straight line, but produces a zigzag pattern as the drum is shaken during an earthquake the distance the pen departs from the centre line is correlated to the amount of energy released the power of an earthquake is determined by the distance from the epicentre to a seismograph station

Interpreting a Seismogram

because they travel faster, P waves arrive at a seismograph station before the S waves, which arrive before the surface waves the arrival time difference increases with the distance of a station from the epicentre a travel-time graph shows the relationship between the P- and S-wave arrival times and the distance from an earthquakes epicentre the distance to the epicentre from different seismograph stations can be determined, given the difference in arrival times between the first P waves and the first S waves

Locating the Epicentre

knowing the distance from a seimograph station and the epicentre does not give a precise location, only that it is located somewhere within a given radius of that station because the direction from any single station to the epicentre is unknown, the distance from at least three stations is required in order to plot an epicentres location

in the U.S., 2500 seismograph stations coordinate earthquake data coupled with computer technology, areas like California can produce an earthquake epicentre location within a minute

seismograms can record data to determine the magnitude of an earthquake (the amount of energy released) the Richter Scale was developed in 1935 one Richter magnitude represents a 31-fold increase in energy on a logarithmic scale a magnitude-7 earthquake is 31x31 = 961 times as powerful as a magnitude-5 earthquake the Richter Scale does not accurately indicate the magnitude of very large earthquakes moment magnitude indicates the energy released at an earthquakes source vs. the intensity of ground movements difference in magnitudes of 1906 S.F. and 1964 Alaskan quakes was only 0.2 on Richter but 1.3 on moment scale

Measuring an Earthquakes Magnitude

Richter Magnitudes Less than 2.0 2.0-2.9 3.0-3.9 4.0-4.9 Description Micro Earthquake Effects Microearthquakes, not felt. Frequency of Occurrence About 8,000 per day About 1,000 per day 49,000 per year (est.) 6,200 per year (est.) 800 per year

Minor Minor Light

Generally not felt, but recorded. Often felt, but rarely causes damage. Noticeable shaking of indoor items, rattling noises. Significant damage unlikely. Can cause major damage to poorly constructed buildings over small regions. At most slight damage to welldesigned buildings. Can be destructive in areas up to about 100 miles across in populated areas. Can cause serious damage over larger areas. Can cause serious damage in areas several hundred miles across. Devastating in areas several thousand miles across. Never recorded

5.0-5.9

Moderate

6.0-6.9

Strong

120 per year

7.0-7.9 8.0-8.9 9.0-9.9 10.0+

Major Great Great Great

18 per year 1 per year 1 per 20 years Extremely rare (Unknown)