Techniques for mapping theoretical shadow zones for direct P and S waves propagated as rays from an earthquake epicenter

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2006

Abstract

This paper presents results about the effectiveness of different student-centered instructional methods on undergraduate student perceptions of a spatial phenomenon, earthquake P and S wave shadow zones, in introductory geology classes. Textbooks commonly illustrate earthquake P and S wave shadow zones using ray tracing techniques with an epicenter at the North Pole and the shadow zone south of the equator. Shadow zones differ for earthquake locations elsewhere. Shadow zones for earthquakes at locations around the world can be hand plotted using a globe and a map of the Earth. The plotter gains experience in using latitude and longitude for plotting, understanding global geography, translating spherical geographic data to a two-dimensional map, and gains a better understanding of seismic waves and the Earth's interior. The concept also explains how satellite orbits appear on flat maps and the concept of great circle paths. The shadow zone can also be mapped digitally using a Geographic Information System (GIS), such as ArcView™ GIS with the similar results. Overall, 81.5% of the student participants considered both instructional methods an enhancement to their understanding of the earth's interior, globes, maps and shadow zones. The results suggest that student alternate conceptions of the representation of geospatial data in 2D and 3D can be influenced by both traditional paper exercises and activities that teach with GIS technology.

Publication Title

Journal of Geoscience Education

First Page Number

596

Last Page Number

602

DOI

10.5408/1089-9995-54.5.596

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