Seismology and Global Earth Structure

Robert Cicerone
,
Bridgewater State College
Author Profile


Summary

This laboratory exercise reviews the basic concepts of how seismic body waves travel through the Earth and how seismologists use these waves to determine global Earth structure. Also, the students analyze waveforms recorded from an earthquake to determine the earthquake's location, magnitude, and focal mechanism.

Used this activity? Share your experiences and modifications

Context

Audience

undergraduate course in geophysics
Designed for a geophysics course

Skills and concepts that students must have mastered

The student must understand how seismic body waves propagate through the Earth.

The students must understand how earthquake data (i.e., travel times, ampliduted, and first motions) are used to determine the parameters of an earthquake (location, magnitude, focal mechanism).

How the activity is situated in the course

laboratory exercise

Goals

Content/concepts goals for this activity

See context above

Higher order thinking skills goals for this activity

See context above

Other skills goals for this activity

See context above

Description of the activity/assignment

See context above

Determining whether students have met the goals

See context above

More information about assessment tools and techniques.

Teaching materials and tips

Other Materials