Asked by jakeevia
How do geologists determine the location of an earthquake's epicenter?
A) By measuring the magnitude of the earthquake using the Mercalli scale.
B) By analyzing the chemical composition of rocks at the earthquake site.
C) By using seismograph data to triangulate the distance from multiple seismic stations.
D) By directly observing the surface rupture and fault displacement at the earthquake source.
All Answers 1
Answered by
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Correct answer: C) By using seismograph data to triangulate the distance from multiple seismic stations.
Explanation: Seismographs record the arrival times of P and S waves. The difference in arrival times at a station gives the distance to the epicenter. Circles drawn around three (or more) stations with those distances intersect at the epicenter. The other choices are incorrect: A (Mercalli) measures felt intensity, B is irrelevant, and D (surface rupture) may show faulting but cannot reliably locate the epicenter for all quakes.
Explanation: Seismographs record the arrival times of P and S waves. The difference in arrival times at a station gives the distance to the epicenter. Circles drawn around three (or more) stations with those distances intersect at the epicenter. The other choices are incorrect: A (Mercalli) measures felt intensity, B is irrelevant, and D (surface rupture) may show faulting but cannot reliably locate the epicenter for all quakes.
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