Instruments (tools) we use to

measure earthquakes…
 Seismograph….

 Richter Scale….

 Mercalli Scale…
 Seismographs…
 Instrument that detects and records the
earthquake waves…
– Measures the P and S waves
 Earthquake Magnitude…
 Richter scale - measures the intensity
(energy released) of the earthquake…
(multiples of 10)

 Mercalli Scale – rates the earthquake

based on the amount of damage done…
(1 – 12)
 Determine the distance to the
Epicenter…
 Time Travel Graph -
compares the
relationship between
the P and S wave
travel times…
Lag Time -
difference between P
and S wave arrival
time.
 Locating an Epicenter
 To locate (pinpoint) the epicenter, you need
three locations.
Top Ten US Quakes
Prince William Sound, Alaska
3/28/ 1964 (9.2)
Andreanof Islands 1957 (9.1)

 Damaged 2 bridges
 Leveled a few
houses
 Left a 4.3 meter crack
in the road
 15 meter tsunami
 Mt. Vesevidof
erupted (200 yrs
dormant)
Rat Islands, Alaska
2/3/1965 (8.7)
 Created a 10.7 m
tsunami
 A crack was noted
on an asphalt runway
 New Madrid, Missouri
2/7/1812 (“8)
 This is one of 6 major Earthquakes that
happened in this region over a one year period
New Madrid (Missouri), Arkansas
12/16/1811(8.1)
 Yakutat Bay, Alaska
9/10/1899 (8.0)
 Even shellfish and
barnacles were
found dead
 10.6 meter tsunami
Largest Earthquakes in the Cont. US
Largest Earthquakes in Alaska
Largest Earthquakes in Hawaii
 California Seismic activity
 What happen 1/17/94?

 Why so much activity?

 What does the world

look like right now!
Northridge, Ca
1/17/1994