Reading an Earthquake Seismogram

Jennifer Pickering, Alaska Pacific University and Anchorage School District

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Summary

Introductory lesson presenting the information about an earthquake that can be gained from a single seismogram, such as the amplitude of shaking experienced by the site, and approximate distance from the site to the earthquake epicenter. Educators can provide seismograms from any source, for example the Raspberry Shake ShakeNet data portal. (Opens in new window)

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Context

Audience

This activity can be done with introductory geoscience learners from late elementary through secondary or even early college.

Skills and concepts that students must have mastered

Learners should be familiar with plate tectonics and seismic P and S waves. Activities that will help learners with the background knowledge for seismic waves are Human Wave: Modeling P and S Waves and Seismic Slinky.

How the activity is situated in the course

This activity can be used to initially engage learners to the study of earthquakes, with scaffolded co-teaching about seismic waves. If learners have already been introduced to earthquakes and seismic waves, this activity is a good introduction to a deeper dive in seismology.

Goals

Content/concepts goals for this activity

  • Identify P-waves and S-waves on a seismogram
  • Interpret P-wave and S-wave arrival times to determine the distance from the earthquake hypocenter to the seismometer

Higher order thinking skills goals for this activity

  • Interpret graphical data

Other skills goals for this activity

  • Access data from an online data portal

Description and Teaching Materials

Activity

See attached file for instructor notes, NGSS alignment, and links to supporting resources, including an example seismogram that students can start with.
Reading an Earthquake Seismogram Activity (Acrobat (PDF) 1.1MB Oct3 23)


Answer key

Supporting Audiovisual

Teaching Notes and Tips

Instructors can provide seismograms from any source, for example the ShakeNet data portal. See also the Instructor Guide: Getting Started with the ShakeNet Data portal. (Both open in new windows)

Assessment

Evaluate students' ability to interpret the chosen seismogram for P-wave and S-wave arrivals, and their ability to apply this information to determine the distance to the hypocenter. This activity is considered preparatory and, as such, the assessment is more aimed towards gathering a formative understanding of learner knowledge.

References and Resources