How To Determine the Epicenter of an Earthquake

In this article, we will discuss how to determine the epicenter of an earthquake.

An earthquake may be defined as the sudden shock of the earth that emits the energy in the earth’s lithosphere causing the formation of seismic waves.

The earthquake can be caused due to volcanic eruption, moving of tectonic plates, formation of the cave in a small area, or due to explosions. It is determined with the help of a seismograph by Seismometers and is measured on the Richter Magnitude Scale.

  1. Determine the Epicenter of an Earthquake  

The seismograph can measure the strength and duration of the earthquake’s waves. A seismograph is a primary earthquake recording device. The seismograph makes a digital graphic measuring the ground motion by the seismic waves. The digital measuring device is called a seismogram.

When seismic data is taken from a minimum of three different places, it can be utilized to calculate the epicenter by where it crosses.

The expert utilize triangulation to determine the epicenter of an earthquake. When seismic data is gathered from a minimum of three different places, it can be utilized to find the epicenter by where it joins.

Every earthquake is measured on various seismographs situated in various directions. Each seismograph measures the times when the first (P waves) and second (S waves) seismic waves appear. From that data, scientists/experts can find how fast the waves are moving. Knowing this supports them to solve the distance from the epicenter to each seismograph.

To find the direction each wave moved, scientists draw circles around the seismograph of different places. The radius of each circle equals the known distance to the epicenter. Where these three circles cross is the epicenter.