GEOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Scientists use triangulation to find the epicenter of an earthquake. When seismic data is collected from at least three different locations, it can be used to determine the epicenter by where it intersects.

Detailed explanation-2: -You need one because the epicenter will be somewhere along that circle. You need three because three is the minimum number of circles that will intersect at one point. It’s not possible to do this with only seismic data.

Detailed explanation-3: -Draw a circle with a radius equal to the distance from the epicenter for that seismograph. The epicenter is somewhere along that circle. Do this for three locations. Using data from two seismographs, the two circles will intercept at two points.

Detailed explanation-4: -Locating an Epicenter A seismograph measures seismic waves. Three seismograph stations are needed to determine the location of an epicenter. 1.

Detailed explanation-5: -Triangulation is a method that uses distance information determined from 3 seismic stations to uniquely locate the earthquake. On a map, circles are drawn around each seismic station. The radius of the circle are scaled to the estimated distance from the station to the earthquake.