Guide Questions: 1. Is earthquake predictable? Explain your answer. 2. What is the minimum number of seismic stations necessary to locate an epicenter? 3. How can you determine the epicenter of an earthquake using data from seismic stations worldwide? 4. Where was the epicenter of this earthquake located? 5. Your circle must not have intersected precisely at one point. Other than the error in your measurement, what are the possible reasons for this? (Be specific.)
Answer (1)
Answer:---1. Is earthquake predictable? Explain your answer.Answer:No, earthquakes are not predictable. Scientists can identify areas where earthquakes are likely to happen because of fault lines, but they cannot predict the exact time, date, or strength of an earthquake. This is because earthquakes happen suddenly when stress along faults is released.---2. What is the minimum number of seismic stations necessary to locate an epicenter?Answer:At least three (3) seismic stations are needed to locate the epicenter accurately through triangulation.---3. How can you determine the epicenter of an earthquake using data from seismic stations worldwide?Answer:You can determine the epicenter by:✔️ Getting the arrival time difference of P-waves and S-waves from each station.✔️ Calculating the distance of each station from the epicenter using these differences.✔️ Drawing circles with radius equal to each distance around each station on a map.✔️ The point where all three circles intersect is the earthquake’s epicenter.---4. Where was the epicenter of this earthquake located?Answer:(For this question, write your specific activity result here. Example below.)➡️ Example Answer:The epicenter was located in Mindoro, Philippines based on the intersection of the three circles I plotted.(Replace with your actual answer from your activity map.)---5. Your circle must not have intersected precisely at one point. Other than the error in your measurement, what are the possible reasons for this? (Be specific.)Answer:Other possible reasons include:✔️ Inaccurate data from seismic stations (incorrect arrival time readings)✔️ Differences in local geology affecting wave speeds✔️ Simplifications in calculations (using average wave speeds instead of exact speeds)✔️ Instrument errors from seismographs✔️ Human error in plotting or reading distances on the map
