Activity Instructions > Seismology: "S minus P" Earthquake Location Method

Allison Mote, TXESS Revolution teacher, works on the graphing part
of the activity during PDA3a in 2009. (Photo courtesy H.C.Olson)

Teaching Strategy: Guided Inquiry

This activity models (1) S and P wave propagation and (2) a technique used by seismologists to locate earthquakes. This technique is called the S and P Wave Travel Time Simulation (or “S minus P” Earthquake Location Method). We will use an approach that the developers, L .and S. Braile, have named the Walk – Run method. In this method S wave propagation is simulated by walking and P wave propagation is simulated by running. The Walk – Run method requires an “open space” of about 30 x 30 meters—a playfield or a gymnasium.

The purpose of this activity is to model the different speeds of P and S waves as they travel from the epicenter of an earthquake. The procedure is in three parts.

Part One: Simulating an earthquake with students acting as P waves (runners) and S waves (walkers). Part one gives students an idea of how activity will unfold.

Go to Part One>>

Part Two: Constructing the Travel-Time Graph

Go to Part Two>>

Part Three: Locating an Earthquake using S minus P (Run – Walk) times and Triangulation

Go to Part Three>>