Earthquake Internet Lab
Part 1 – Virtual Earthquake
Purpose: To learn about and calculate various pieces of information related to
earthquakes.
1. Go to http://www.sciencecourseware.org/
a. Right side of page – click on “Geology Labs Online”
b. Click on “Virtual Earthquake”
c. Scroll to the bottom of the
page and click on “Execute Virtual Earthquake”
d. Read the information that is provided. Pay special attention to reading
amplitude on the seismograph.
e. Choose a region and submit your choice.
f. Read – pay special attention to how to read the s-p interval (in
seconds).
g. Very carefully read each graph and enter you number of seconds into
each field. Click “Convert.”
h. Read the given information. Use the second graph to calculate
epicentral distance. Enter your three distances. Click “Find
Epicenter.”
i. If you were way off, they click remeasure. If you were close then
view true epicenter.
j. View your data as compared to actual data. Read information. Click
“Compute Richter Magnitude.”
k. Read information. Look at how they calculate maximum amplitude of
s-waves. Go to next page.
l. Learn how to use the Richter Nomogram. Go to next page.
m. Read each seismogram. Enter your number for each. Submit.
n. Use the nomogram to carefully calculate magnitude and enter your
answer.
o. Read the real-life information under your “Congratulations.”
p. Enter your information and click “Get Certificate.” Print your certificate
(in greytone).
Part 2 – Earthquake Data Analysis (please type responses to questions)
1. Go http://earthquake.usgs.gov
a. What was the highest magnitude earthquake during the last week
(globally)?
i. Where? When? Magnitude? How close was the epicenter to
the nearest town/island?
ii. Was there any damage reported by people? If so, what kind?
iii. Was this event associated with a volcanic eruption? If not, then
what caused it?
iv. According to the (instrumental intensity) “shake map” what was
the perceived level of shaking?
b. Go to the “latest earthquakes – animations” link.
i. How many earthquakes were there in California/Nevada during
the past week? What was the approximate intensity of their
largest earthquake? Roughly, how many took place during the
last day. The last hour?
c. Go to the “latest earthquakes – USA” link.
i. Then find the USA Regional Map list – select our region.
1. How many earthquakes have recently (past 6 months or
sooner) taken place in this region? What was the closest
one to where we live? What was its magnitude? How
deep was it?
EC – What was the largest magnitude earthquake to affect our area? When?
Damage?
Reflection
1. Why do think that so many more earthquakes take place on the west coast
as compared to our area?
2. While earthquakes themselves are not always dangerous (especially in
remote areas of the world) what could result from one?
3. How do we have all of this up-to-the-hour data?