GEOL 1121L
LAB 8
Earthquakes Lab
Georgia State University
, Name: Edwin Nguyen Earthquakes Lab
GEOL 1121K Earthquake seismology methods
Lab Outline
• Part 1: Time-Travel Curves
• Part 2: Nomograph, Seismographs, and Deliverables
Time-Distance chart • Powerpoint document
• Part 3: Earthquake Triangulation • Triangulation map
• Lab Guide
Earthquakes are a fact of life on Earth and mark distinct moments in history especially when
there are devasting effects on communities around the world. Not only do they result in
casualties, but they can cause damage to vital infrastructure, housing, and other basic services.
The earthquakes that make the news are usually the big ones. For example, the magnitude of the
2004 Indian Ocean earthquake that resulted in a quarter million casualties was a 9.2 magnitude.
The 1906 San Francisco earthquake was a magnitude 7.9. The catastrophic 2010 Haiti earthquake
was a magnitude 7.0.. Oklahoma experienced human-induced earthquakes as large as magnitude
5.8; this caused building damage and much public dismay. But below magnitude 3, few people
are likely to feel an earthquake, even in populated areas.
One would think, given our knowledge of earthquakes, that humans would avoid these locations
– however, the very faults of the Earth also create its greatest advantages. It is extremely
common to find human settlement along fault lines where earthquakes occur most frequently.
Recent studies have revealed that there may be more to the pattern than previously thought.
Tectonically active plates may have produced greater biodiversity, more food, and water for our
human predecessors. Certain landscape features formed by tectonic processes such as cliffs,
river gorges, and sedimentary valleys create environments that support access to drinking water,
shelter, and an abundant food supply.
It is not known when exactly
earthquakes will occur, but as
scientists, we can estimate where they
will happen, and roughly how big they
will be.
This laboratory exercise introduces
you to some of the basic procedures
used to estimate earthquake time and
source locations. After the completion
of this lab, you will have learned how
to read seismograms to estimate P-
and S-wave arrival times, determine Volcanoes and earthquakes are not randomly distributed around the globe.
Instead they tend to occur along limited zones or belts. With the understanding
magnitude energy, use a travel-time
of plate tectonics, scientists recognized that these belts occur along plate
curve to obtain distances from the boundaries.
seismometers to the epicenter, and
be able to map epicenters using
Google Maps.
LAB 8
Earthquakes Lab
Georgia State University
, Name: Edwin Nguyen Earthquakes Lab
GEOL 1121K Earthquake seismology methods
Lab Outline
• Part 1: Time-Travel Curves
• Part 2: Nomograph, Seismographs, and Deliverables
Time-Distance chart • Powerpoint document
• Part 3: Earthquake Triangulation • Triangulation map
• Lab Guide
Earthquakes are a fact of life on Earth and mark distinct moments in history especially when
there are devasting effects on communities around the world. Not only do they result in
casualties, but they can cause damage to vital infrastructure, housing, and other basic services.
The earthquakes that make the news are usually the big ones. For example, the magnitude of the
2004 Indian Ocean earthquake that resulted in a quarter million casualties was a 9.2 magnitude.
The 1906 San Francisco earthquake was a magnitude 7.9. The catastrophic 2010 Haiti earthquake
was a magnitude 7.0.. Oklahoma experienced human-induced earthquakes as large as magnitude
5.8; this caused building damage and much public dismay. But below magnitude 3, few people
are likely to feel an earthquake, even in populated areas.
One would think, given our knowledge of earthquakes, that humans would avoid these locations
– however, the very faults of the Earth also create its greatest advantages. It is extremely
common to find human settlement along fault lines where earthquakes occur most frequently.
Recent studies have revealed that there may be more to the pattern than previously thought.
Tectonically active plates may have produced greater biodiversity, more food, and water for our
human predecessors. Certain landscape features formed by tectonic processes such as cliffs,
river gorges, and sedimentary valleys create environments that support access to drinking water,
shelter, and an abundant food supply.
It is not known when exactly
earthquakes will occur, but as
scientists, we can estimate where they
will happen, and roughly how big they
will be.
This laboratory exercise introduces
you to some of the basic procedures
used to estimate earthquake time and
source locations. After the completion
of this lab, you will have learned how
to read seismograms to estimate P-
and S-wave arrival times, determine Volcanoes and earthquakes are not randomly distributed around the globe.
Instead they tend to occur along limited zones or belts. With the understanding
magnitude energy, use a travel-time
of plate tectonics, scientists recognized that these belts occur along plate
curve to obtain distances from the boundaries.
seismometers to the epicenter, and
be able to map epicenters using
Google Maps.
