Earthquakes Worksheet Generator
Distance from S-P interval, triangulation, magnitude and energy ratios. No AI, no credits.
Grades 8 – 12No account needed
Distance from the S-P arrival interval using the stated simplified average wave speeds, triangulation drawn on a fictional gridded map, and magnitude, amplitude and energy ratios. Every answer is computed by code. No AI, so it never uses a generation credit.
What students practice
- Earth and Space
- Earthquakes
- Seismology
Live sample sheet
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Name: ____________________Date: ____________
Earthquakes
1. A seismograph records an S-P arrival interval of 76 seconds. Using simplified average wave speeds (P-wave = 6 km/s, S-wave = 3.5 km/s), how far is the epicenter from the station?
2. An earthquake of magnitude 8 is compared to one of magnitude 5. How many times larger is the amplitude, and how many times more energy is released?
3. A seismograph records an S-P arrival interval of 84 seconds. Using simplified average wave speeds (P-wave = 6 km/s, S-wave = 3.5 km/s), how far is the epicenter from the station?
4. An earthquake of magnitude 5 is compared to one of magnitude 3. How many times larger is the amplitude, and how many times more energy is released?
5. A seismograph records an S-P arrival interval of 40 seconds. Using simplified average wave speeds (P-wave = 6 km/s, S-wave = 3.5 km/s), how far is the epicenter from the station?
6. An earthquake of magnitude 9 is compared to one of magnitude 6. How many times larger is the amplitude, and how many times more energy is released?
7. A seismograph records an S-P arrival interval of 62 seconds. Using simplified average wave speeds (P-wave = 6 km/s, S-wave = 3.5 km/s), how far is the epicenter from the station?
8. An earthquake of magnitude 7 is compared to one of magnitude 4. How many times larger is the amplitude, and how many times more energy is released?
9. A seismograph records an S-P arrival interval of 92 seconds. Using simplified average wave speeds (P-wave = 6 km/s, S-wave = 3.5 km/s), how far is the epicenter from the station?
10. An earthquake of magnitude 5 is compared to one of magnitude 4. How many times larger is the amplitude, and how many times more energy is released?
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Answer Key — Earthquakes
1. A seismograph records an S-P arrival interval of 76 seconds. Using simplified average wave speeds (P-wave = 6 km/s, S-wave = 3.5 km/s), how far is the epicenter from the station?
Solution:
Distance = (S-P interval) × (Vp × Vs) / (Vp - Vs)
Distance = 76 s × (6 × 3.5) / (6 - 3.5)
Distance = 76 × 21.0 / 2.5
Distance = 638 km
Answer: 638 km
2. An earthquake of magnitude 8 is compared to one of magnitude 5. How many times larger is the amplitude, and how many times more energy is released?
Solution:
Amplitude ratio = 10^(ΔM) = 10^3 = 1,000×
Energy ratio = 10^(1.5 × ΔM) = 10^(1.5 × 3) = 10^4.5 = 31,622.777×
Answer: Amplitude: 1,000×, Energy: 31,622.777×
3. A seismograph records an S-P arrival interval of 84 seconds. Using simplified average wave speeds (P-wave = 6 km/s, S-wave = 3.5 km/s), how far is the epicenter from the station?
Solution:
Distance = (S-P interval) × (Vp × Vs) / (Vp - Vs)
Distance = 84 s × (6 × 3.5) / (6 - 3.5)
Distance = 84 × 21.0 / 2.5
Distance = 706 km
Answer: 706 km
4. An earthquake of magnitude 5 is compared to one of magnitude 3. How many times larger is the amplitude, and how many times more energy is released?
Solution:
Amplitude ratio = 10^(ΔM) = 10^2 = 100×
Energy ratio = 10^(1.5 × ΔM) = 10^(1.5 × 2) = 10^3.0 = 1,000×
Answer: Amplitude: 100×, Energy: 1,000×
5. A seismograph records an S-P arrival interval of 40 seconds. Using simplified average wave speeds (P-wave = 6 km/s, S-wave = 3.5 km/s), how far is the epicenter from the station?
Solution:
Distance = (S-P interval) × (Vp × Vs) / (Vp - Vs)
Distance = 40 s × (6 × 3.5) / (6 - 3.5)
Distance = 40 × 21.0 / 2.5
Distance = 336 km
Answer: 336 km
6. An earthquake of magnitude 9 is compared to one of magnitude 6. How many times larger is the amplitude, and how many times more energy is released?
Solution:
Amplitude ratio = 10^(ΔM) = 10^3 = 1,000×
Energy ratio = 10^(1.5 × ΔM) = 10^(1.5 × 3) = 10^4.5 = 31,622.777×
Answer: Amplitude: 1,000×, Energy: 31,622.777×
7. A seismograph records an S-P arrival interval of 62 seconds. Using simplified average wave speeds (P-wave = 6 km/s, S-wave = 3.5 km/s), how far is the epicenter from the station?
Solution:
Distance = (S-P interval) × (Vp × Vs) / (Vp - Vs)
Distance = 62 s × (6 × 3.5) / (6 - 3.5)
Distance = 62 × 21.0 / 2.5
Distance = 521 km
Answer: 521 km
8. An earthquake of magnitude 7 is compared to one of magnitude 4. How many times larger is the amplitude, and how many times more energy is released?
Solution:
Amplitude ratio = 10^(ΔM) = 10^3 = 1,000×
Energy ratio = 10^(1.5 × ΔM) = 10^(1.5 × 3) = 10^4.5 = 31,622.777×
Answer: Amplitude: 1,000×, Energy: 31,622.777×
9. A seismograph records an S-P arrival interval of 92 seconds. Using simplified average wave speeds (P-wave = 6 km/s, S-wave = 3.5 km/s), how far is the epicenter from the station?
Solution:
Distance = (S-P interval) × (Vp × Vs) / (Vp - Vs)
Distance = 92 s × (6 × 3.5) / (6 - 3.5)
Distance = 92 × 21.0 / 2.5
Distance = 773 km
Answer: 773 km
10. An earthquake of magnitude 5 is compared to one of magnitude 4. How many times larger is the amplitude, and how many times more energy is released?
Solution:
Amplitude ratio = 10^(ΔM) = 10^1 = 10×
Energy ratio = 10^(1.5 × ΔM) = 10^(1.5 × 1) = 10^1.5 = 31.623×
Answer: Amplitude: 10×, Energy: 31.623×
Answers computed by code. No AI, no credits.
Assumptions and Conventions
Assumptions:
- S-P interval method: distance = (S-P interval) × (Vp × Vs) / (Vp - Vs).
- Simplified average speeds: P-wave ≈ 6 km/s, S-wave ≈ 3.5 km/s.
- Amplitude ratio = 10^(ΔM).
- Energy ratio = 10^(1.5 × ΔM).
- Triangulation: the epicenter is where three distance circles intersect.
Conventions:
- All distances in kilometers.
- Wave speeds are simplified averages for practice purposes.
- Grid coordinates are in kilometers on a fictional grid map.
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Frequently asked questions
Do students need an account to use the Earthquakes?
No. Students never need an account. They open a shared link or join with a code.
Can I print the Earthquakes without signing up?
Yes. This tool computes answers by code, so you can generate, preview and print worksheet without an account. A free account adds saving and student links.
How are the answers computed?
Every answer is computed by code and verified by a second independent method. No AI is used.
What grades is the Earthquakes for?
This tool fits Grades 8 – 12.
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Sample output, computed by code — change the options and Generate to make your own
Name: ____________________Date: ____________
Earthquakes
1. A seismograph records an S-P arrival interval of 118 seconds. Using simplified average wave speeds (P-wave = 6 km/s, S-wave = 3.5 km/s), how far is the epicenter from the station?
2. An earthquake of magnitude 6 is compared to one of magnitude 4. How many times larger is the amplitude, and how many times more energy is released?
3. A seismograph records an S-P arrival interval of 100 seconds. Using simplified average wave speeds (P-wave = 6 km/s, S-wave = 3.5 km/s), how far is the epicenter from the station?
4. An earthquake of magnitude 7 is compared to one of magnitude 5. How many times larger is the amplitude, and how many times more energy is released?
5. A seismograph records an S-P arrival interval of 18 seconds. Using simplified average wave speeds (P-wave = 6 km/s, S-wave = 3.5 km/s), how far is the epicenter from the station?
6. An earthquake of magnitude 9 is compared to one of magnitude 6. How many times larger is the amplitude, and how many times more energy is released?
7. A seismograph records an S-P arrival interval of 101 seconds. Using simplified average wave speeds (P-wave = 6 km/s, S-wave = 3.5 km/s), how far is the epicenter from the station?
8. An earthquake of magnitude 8 is compared to one of magnitude 5. How many times larger is the amplitude, and how many times more energy is released?
9. A seismograph records an S-P arrival interval of 108 seconds. Using simplified average wave speeds (P-wave = 6 km/s, S-wave = 3.5 km/s), how far is the epicenter from the station?
10. An earthquake of magnitude 9 is compared to one of magnitude 7. How many times larger is the amplitude, and how many times more energy is released?
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Answer Key — Earthquakes
1. A seismograph records an S-P arrival interval of 118 seconds. Using simplified average wave speeds (P-wave = 6 km/s, S-wave = 3.5 km/s), how far is the epicenter from the station?
Solution:
Distance = (S-P interval) × (Vp × Vs) / (Vp - Vs)
Distance = 118 s × (6 × 3.5) / (6 - 3.5)
Distance = 118 × 21.0 / 2.5
Distance = 991 km
Answer: 991 km
2. An earthquake of magnitude 6 is compared to one of magnitude 4. How many times larger is the amplitude, and how many times more energy is released?
Solution:
Amplitude ratio = 10^(ΔM) = 10^2 = 100×
Energy ratio = 10^(1.5 × ΔM) = 10^(1.5 × 2) = 10^3.0 = 1,000×
Answer: Amplitude: 100×, Energy: 1,000×
3. A seismograph records an S-P arrival interval of 100 seconds. Using simplified average wave speeds (P-wave = 6 km/s, S-wave = 3.5 km/s), how far is the epicenter from the station?
Solution:
Distance = (S-P interval) × (Vp × Vs) / (Vp - Vs)
Distance = 100 s × (6 × 3.5) / (6 - 3.5)
Distance = 100 × 21.0 / 2.5
Distance = 840 km
Answer: 840 km
4. An earthquake of magnitude 7 is compared to one of magnitude 5. How many times larger is the amplitude, and how many times more energy is released?
Solution:
Amplitude ratio = 10^(ΔM) = 10^2 = 100×
Energy ratio = 10^(1.5 × ΔM) = 10^(1.5 × 2) = 10^3.0 = 1,000×
Answer: Amplitude: 100×, Energy: 1,000×
5. A seismograph records an S-P arrival interval of 18 seconds. Using simplified average wave speeds (P-wave = 6 km/s, S-wave = 3.5 km/s), how far is the epicenter from the station?
Solution:
Distance = (S-P interval) × (Vp × Vs) / (Vp - Vs)
Distance = 18 s × (6 × 3.5) / (6 - 3.5)
Distance = 18 × 21.0 / 2.5
Distance = 151 km
Answer: 151 km
6. An earthquake of magnitude 9 is compared to one of magnitude 6. How many times larger is the amplitude, and how many times more energy is released?
Solution:
Amplitude ratio = 10^(ΔM) = 10^3 = 1,000×
Energy ratio = 10^(1.5 × ΔM) = 10^(1.5 × 3) = 10^4.5 = 31,622.777×
Answer: Amplitude: 1,000×, Energy: 31,622.777×
7. A seismograph records an S-P arrival interval of 101 seconds. Using simplified average wave speeds (P-wave = 6 km/s, S-wave = 3.5 km/s), how far is the epicenter from the station?
Solution:
Distance = (S-P interval) × (Vp × Vs) / (Vp - Vs)
Distance = 101 s × (6 × 3.5) / (6 - 3.5)
Distance = 101 × 21.0 / 2.5
Distance = 848 km
Answer: 848 km
8. An earthquake of magnitude 8 is compared to one of magnitude 5. How many times larger is the amplitude, and how many times more energy is released?
Solution:
Amplitude ratio = 10^(ΔM) = 10^3 = 1,000×
Energy ratio = 10^(1.5 × ΔM) = 10^(1.5 × 3) = 10^4.5 = 31,622.777×
Answer: Amplitude: 1,000×, Energy: 31,622.777×
9. A seismograph records an S-P arrival interval of 108 seconds. Using simplified average wave speeds (P-wave = 6 km/s, S-wave = 3.5 km/s), how far is the epicenter from the station?
Solution:
Distance = (S-P interval) × (Vp × Vs) / (Vp - Vs)
Distance = 108 s × (6 × 3.5) / (6 - 3.5)
Distance = 108 × 21.0 / 2.5
Distance = 907 km
Answer: 907 km
10. An earthquake of magnitude 9 is compared to one of magnitude 7. How many times larger is the amplitude, and how many times more energy is released?
Solution:
Amplitude ratio = 10^(ΔM) = 10^2 = 100×
Energy ratio = 10^(1.5 × ΔM) = 10^(1.5 × 2) = 10^3.0 = 1,000×
Answer: Amplitude: 100×, Energy: 1,000×
Answers computed by code. No AI, no credits.
Assumptions and Conventions
Assumptions:
- S-P interval method: distance = (S-P interval) × (Vp × Vs) / (Vp - Vs).
- Simplified average speeds: P-wave ≈ 6 km/s, S-wave ≈ 3.5 km/s.
- Amplitude ratio = 10^(ΔM).
- Energy ratio = 10^(1.5 × ΔM).
- Triangulation: the epicenter is where three distance circles intersect.
Conventions:
- All distances in kilometers.
- Wave speeds are simplified averages for practice purposes.
- Grid coordinates are in kilometers on a fictional grid map.
Made with TeachSpark
Earthquakes - General earth and space - Mixed earthquake practice
Distance from S-P interval, triangulation, magnitude and energy ratios. No AI, no credits.