how do you locate the epicenter of an earthquake?

Answer 1

By getting seismograph readings from three different stations (triangulation).

Answer 2

Firstly you will need to go to the link provided to see the diagram of a seismogram.

In order to locate the epicenter of an earthquake you will need to examine its seismograms as recorded by three different seismic stations. On each of these seismograms you will have to measure the S - P time interval (in seconds). (In the figure at the link, the S - P interval is about 45 seconds. The vertical lines are placed at 2 second intervals.) The S - P time interval will then be used to determine the distance the waves have traveled from the origin to that station.

The actual location of the earthquake's epicenter will be on the perimeter of a circle drawn around the recording station. The radius of this circle is the epicentral distance. One S - P measurement will produce one epicentral distance: the direction from which the waves came is unknown. Three stations are needed in order to "triangulate" the location.

A highly simplified simulated recording of earthquake waves (a seismogram) can be seen at the link. Study this sample seismogram and be sure you can identify these parts:

P-waves and the P-wave arrival time
S-waves and the S-wave arrival time
S-P interval (expressed in seconds)
S-wave maximum amplitude (measured in mm)

Answer 3

First off, you need three seismograph stations. The seismograph will help to record the seismic activity. With that information, you can tell how long the distance between the primary and secondary waves were. That will tell you how close the seismograph station is from the epicenter. With the three seismographs recording the distance, seismologists will draw circles on a certain map to scale the distance. Where the three circles meet, is the epicenter.

Answer 4

It's done by computers now, but we used to use a compass and the circle intercept method. You need three seismic readings from different stations. simple math.

Answer 5

It's immediately above the focus (on the surface).

Answer 6

accumulate all of the readings from the graph and find the exact center.

Answer 7

Very carefully.

Answer 8

you need to use your earthscience reference table and use the pwave and s wave chart :)

Answer 9

http://www.geo.mtu.edu/UPSeis/locating.html
this wil ahve all the answers

Answer 10

soulesta is correct!
For more info go to:
http://www.csulb.edu/~rodrigue/geog140/labs/epicenter.html