This may seem like an odd question but i need to get or improvise somehow a compass to use to locate epicenters of an earthquake for a science class lab!!!!!!!!!!!!HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2006-12-20 12:39:48 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
You can't use a compass alone to locate the epicentre of an earthquake - it's not possible.
To locate the epicenter of an earthquake you need to have seismic monitoring stations with large seismographs and geophones to record the waves as they travel from the epicenter of the earthquake. Given the time it takes to get to each station (you need a minimum of 2, but usually 3 or more) and the estimated velocity of the rock between the station and the epicenter you can triangulate the location of epicenter.
You could then plot the epicenter on a map and then get a bearing from one or more of the seismic stations to set out in the direction of the epicenter - that's the only way I can think of using a compass to help locate the epicenter of an earthquake, and I should know - I'm a geophysicist.
2006-12-20 14:31:15 · answer #1 · answered by TransparentEarth 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can use your compass together with a computer to work as seismograph. The present method needs seismograph from three stations from three directions for fairly accurate location. But I have found a new method by which the approximate location of epicenter can be located by using single seismograph with the electronic direction finder which I have designed after the Tsunami attack. The key chain globe type of compass can be put inside a coil wire. The ends of the wires are connected to the mike terminal of the computer. The computer must be loaded with sound cord oscilloscope. Then you can get the picture of seismograph in your computer when the instrument is shacked or when it senses earthquake waves. I have designed several safety simple equipments to save the life from disasters. I am the one issued the Tsunami warning 2 hours before Tsunami struck our coast with the help of simple quake alarm designed by me . But my warning was ignored.
2006-12-21 00:15:39 · answer #2 · answered by A.Ganapathy India 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can always improvise a compass with a push pin and a piece of string. Put the pin at the recording station and adjust the string to the distance from the earthquake with another place for a pencil to trace the radius of the station radius.
2006-12-20 21:20:27 · answer #3 · answered by Amphibolite 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many stores have compasses somewhere in the school supply section.
2006-12-20 21:10:38 · answer #4 · answered by KD Force 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋