Sumatra Earthquake And Tsunami Lab Answer Key [portable] -
A measure of the energy released (usually using the Moment Magnitude Scale for events this large). Summary of Key Findings Date: December 26, 2004. Magnitude: 9.1–9.3. Plate Boundary: Convergent (Subduction).
A standard section of the lab involves analyzing seismograms. Students are often tasked with determining the epicenter distance and the magnitude of the quake.
If you are an educator, use this guide to build your own key. If you are a student, use it to verify your methods—not just your final numbers. Because when the next megathrust ruptures, the real answer key will not be in a PDF; it will be on the seismograms, tide gauges, and coastal evacuation maps that you must interpret in real time. Sumatra Earthquake And Tsunami Lab Answer Key
Avoid any "answer key" that gives single-word answers like "Indonesia" without supporting calculations or reasoning, as these fail the educational purpose.
The 2004 Sumatra Earthquake and Tsunami lab typically focuses on locating the earthquake's epicenter through seismic data, calculating tsunami travel times, and analyzing the impact on coastal communities. Part 1: Locating the Epicenter A measure of the energy released (usually using
This article serves as a comprehensive answer key for any standard lab investigating the December 26, 2004, event. Whether you are analyzing seismic waves, calculating wave velocity, or mapping inundation zones, this guide will break down the expected answers, the underlying scientific principles, and the common pitfalls students encounter.
: As waves enter shallow water, they slow down , their wavelength shortens, and their height increases dramatically (shoaling). Sumatra Earthquake And Tsunami Lab Answer Key Plate Boundary: Convergent (Subduction)
Most versions of this lab use real data from the (Mw 9.1–9.3) and resulting Indian Ocean tsunami. Students analyze:
: Draw three circles on a map with radii equal to the calculated distances for each station. The point where all three circles intersect is the Part 2: Tsunami Wave Dynamics
If you are searching for a PDF of the understand that dozens of lab versions exist (PhET simulations, USGS “WebQuest,” IRIS seismology exercises, NOAA mapping labs). Each has unique data sets.
| Station | P-wave arrival | S-wave arrival | S-P Interval | Distance from epicenter | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Perth, Australia | 14:28:15 | 14:34:45 | 6 min 30 sec | 3,800 km | | Johannesburg, SA | 14:30:00 | 14:40:00 | 10 min 0 sec | 6,100 km | | Rio de Janeiro | 14:33:30 | 14:48:30 | 15 min 0 sec | 9,400 km |