8

Science
Quarter 2 – Module 3:
Earthquake Waves
Science- Grade 8
Self-Learning Module (SLM)
Quarter 2 – Module 3: Earthquake Waves
First Edition, 2020

Republic Act 8293, section 176 states that: No copyright shall subsist in any work of the
Government of the Philippines. However, prior approval of the government agency or office
wherein the work is created shall be necessary for exploitation of such work for profit. Such
agency or office may, among other things, impose as a condition the payment of royalties.

Borrowed materials (i.e., songs, stories, poems, pictures, photos, brand names,
trademarks, etc.) included in this module are owned by their respective copyright holders. Every
effort has been exerted to locate and seek permission to use these materials from their respective
copyright owners. The publisher and authors do not represent nor claim ownership over them.

Development Team of the Module

Writer: Evelyn B. Sumaliling

Editors: Rosalie P. Gillesania/ Marlene C. Gevero
Reviewers: Sally A. Palomo & Nerissa A. Alfafara
Illustrator: Ivy T. Manisan
Layout Artist: Lourabelle B. Sibuco
Cover Art Designer: Reggie D. Galindez
Management Team: Allan G. Farnazo, CESO IV – Regional Director
Fiel Y. Almendra, CESO V – Assistant Regional Director
Romelito G. Flores, CESO V - Schools Division Superintendent
Mario M. Bermudez, CESO VI – Assist. Schools Division Superintendent
Gilbert B. Barrera – Chief, CLMD
Arturo D. Tingson Jr. – REPS, LRMS
Peter Van C. Ang-ug – REPS, ADM
Peter Van C. Ang-ug – REPS, Science
Juliet F. Lastimosa - CID Chief
Sally A. Palomo - Division EPS In- Charge of LRMS
Gregorio O. Ruales - Division ADM Coordinator
Nerissa A. Alfafara – EPS, Science
Edilbert A. Reyes, PhD – Division Science Coordinator

Printed in the Philippines by Department of Education – SOCCSKSARGEN Region

Office Address: Regional Center, Brgy. Carpenter Hill, City of Koronadal

Telefax: (083) 2288825/ (083) 2281893
E-mail Address: region12@deped.gov.ph
 8

Science
Quarter 2 – Module 3:
Earthquake Waves
Introductory Message
For the facilitator:

Welcome to the Science for Grade 8 Self-Learning Module (SLM) on Earthquake Waves!

This module was collaboratively designed, developed and reviewed by educators both
from public and private institutions to assist you, the teacher or facilitator in helping
the learners meet the standards set by the K to 12 Curriculum while overcoming their
personal, social, and economic constraints in schooling.

This learning resource hopes to engage the learners into guided and independent
learning activities at their own pace and time. Furthermore, this also aims to help
learners acquire the needed 21st century skills while taking into consideration their
needs and circumstances.

In addition to the material in the main text, you will also see this box in the body of the
module:

Notes to the Teacher

This contains helpful tips or strategies that
will help you in guiding the learners.

As a facilitator you are expected to orient the learners on how to use this module. You
also need to keep track of the learners' progress while allowing them to manage their
own learning. Furthermore, you are expected to encourage and assist the learners as
they do the tasks included in the module.

2
For the learner:

Welcome to the Science for Grade 8 Self-Learning Module (SLM) on Earthquake Waves!

The hand is one of the most symbolized parts of the human body. It is often used to
depict skill, action, and purpose. Through our hands we may learn, create, and
accomplish. Hence, the hand in this learning resource signifies that you as a learner is
capable and empowered to successfully achieve the relevant competencies and skills at
your own pace and time. Your academic success lies in your own hands!

This module was designed to provide you with fun and meaningful opportunities for
guided and independent learning at your own pace and time. You will be enabled to
process the contents of the learning resource while being an active learner.

This module has the following parts and corresponding icons:

This will give you an idea of the skills or

What I Need to Know competencies you are expected to learn in the
module.
This part includes an activity that aims to
What I Know check what you already know about the
lesson to take. If you get all the answers
correct (100%), you may decide to skip this
module.
This is a brief drill or review to help you link
What’s In the current lesson with the previous one.

In this portion, the new lesson will be

What’s New introduced to you in various ways such as a
story, a song, a poem, a problem opener, an
activity, or a situation.
This section provides a brief discussion of the
What is It lesson. This aims to help you discover and
understand new concepts and skills.
This comprises activities for independent
What’s More practice to solidify your understanding and
skills of the topic. You may check the
answers to the exercises using the Answer
Key at the end of the module.
This includes questions or blank
What I Have Learned sentence/paragraph to be filled into process
what you learned from the lesson.
This section provides an activity which will
What I Can Do help you transfer your new knowledge or skill
into real life situations or concerns.

3
 This is a task which aims to evaluate your
Assessment level of mastery in achieving the learning
competency.
In this portion, another activity will be given
Additional Activities to you to enrich your knowledge or skill of the
lesson learned. This also tends retention of
learned concepts.
This contains answers to all activities in the
Answer Key module.

At the end of this module you will also find:

References This is a list of all sources used in developing

this module.

The following are some reminders in using this module:

1. Use the module with care. Write your answers on designated portions of this
module.
2. Don’t forget to answer What I Know before moving on to the other activities
included in the module.
3. Read the instruction carefully before doing each task.
4. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking your answers.
5. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next.
6. Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you are through with it.
If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module, do not hesitate
to consult your teacher or facilitator. Always bear in mind that you are not alone.

We hope that through this material, you will experience meaningful learning and
gain deep understanding of the relevant competencies. You can do it!

4
 What I Need to Know

What’s Inside the Earth?

We often think that earthquake as something harmful and the reason is obvious.
But earthquakes help scientists figure out what is inside the Earth. How? As you know
by now, when a fault suddenly moves, an earthquake is generated.
When you look at a seismogram the wiggles you see is an indication that the
ground is being vibrated by seismic waves. Seismic waves are propagating vibrations
that carry energy from the source of the shaking outward in all directions. You can
picture this by recalling a circular wave that spread over the surface of a pond when a
stone is thrown into the water. As seismic waves travel through the body of the Earth,
they behave in different ways, depending on what they encounter along.
As seismic waves travel deeper into the crust, they speed up. That means that
the depth of the rocks is denser. In the upper part of the mantle, the waves slow down.
That means the rocks are partially molten. As the waves reach the core, one kind of
seismic wave (S-waves) disappears, that outer core is liquid. At certain depths, the waves
are reflected and refracted (bent). That means the Earth must be layered.
Thus, earthquake waves give us the picture of the Earth’s interior, the way an ‘’
ultrasound’’ provides an image of a baby inside the womb. This is the reason why
scientists know the interior of our home planet, even if no one has gone deep into the
Earth yet.

After going through this module, you are expected to:

• Explain how earthquake waves provide information about the interior of the
Earth. (S8ES-llc-17)

And, specifically you are to:

1. identify and describe the properties of earthquake waves;

2. describe how primary wave (P wave) and shear wave (S wave) move
through the Earth’s interior;
3. name and describe the layers of the Earth using the seismic waves; and
4. explain how seismic waves determined the layers of the Earth interiors.

At the end of this module, you are expected to answer the following questions:

How P waves and S waves travel?

How P waves and S waves describe the layers of the earth?

How seismic waves (body waves) gives information about the Earth’s interior?

5
 What I Know

Let’s check! Before we start our lesson, may I know what you have already learned
on how earthquake waves give information about the interior of the Earth by answering
the following questions. Encircle the letter of the correct answer.

1. How do rock particles move during the passage of a Primary wave (P-waves)
through the rock?
A. the particles do not move
B. in a rolling circular motion
C. back and forth parallel to the direction of wave travel
D. back and forth perpendicular to the direction of wave travel
2. Which of the following sequences correctly lists the different arrivals of the
waves from first to the last?
A. P waves → S waves → Surface waves
B. Surface waves → P waves → S waves
C. P waves → Surface waves → S waves
D. S waves → P waves → Surface waves

For items 3 to 6, refer to the given illustration below.

3. What causes the up-and-down wiggles on the seismogram shown above?

A. tsunami waves C. electromagnetic pulses
B. ground vibrations D. variations in air pressure

4. Which set of waves are probably the surface waves?

A. Wave A C. Wave C
B. Wave B D. They are all surface waves.

5. Which set of waves are the P waves?

A. Wave A C. Wave C
B. Wave B D. They are all P waves

6. Which set of waves are the S waves?

A. Wave A C. Wave C
B. Wave B D. They are all S waves

6
7. Which of the following statements BEST describes secondary waves (S-waves)?
A. circular motions like an ocean wave
B. snake-like motions parallel to the Earth's surface
C. contractions and expansions that are in the direction of wave propagation
D. shearing motions that are at right angles to the direction of wave propagation

8. What is the useful information regarding the composition of the interior of the
Earth can be derived from earthquake waves?
A. It changes radioactive decay rates of rocks.
B. It releases materials from within the Earth.
C. It travels through the Earth at a constant speed.
D. It travels at different rates through different materials.

9. Which layer of the Earth does S-waves do not travel?

A. core B. crust C. mantle D. moho

10. Which of the following earthquake waves can travel through both solids and
fluids?
A. P waves only C. Q-waves only
B. S waves only D. Both P and S waves

11. Which seismic waves travel through the interior layer of the Earth?
A. body waves C. inner waves
B. deep waves D. surface waves

12. What do you call the motion or vibration of earthquake that travels outward from
the focus?
A. chemical energy C. gravity waves
B. electromagnetic waves D. seismic waves

13. In the upper part of the mantle, the earthquake waves slow down. It is
explained that ________.
A. that outer core is solid.
B. rocks are partially molten.
C. at depth the rocks are denser.
D. rocks confined at that particular location tightly packed together.

14. What is the most destructive earthquake wave?

A. S waves C. Q waves
B. P waves D. Surface waves

15. Which statement best explains why the P-wave of an earthquake arrives
at a seismic station before the S-wave?
A. The S wave originates from the earthquake focus.
B. The P wave has a greater velocity than the S wave.
C. The P wave originates from the earthquake epicenter.
D. The S wave decreases in velocity as it passes through the liquid.

7
 Lesson

3 Earthquake Waves

At the end of this module, you will be able to understand earthquake waves and
explain how it provides information about the Earth’s interior. This module is designed
using varied activities with instruction to ensure maximum comprehension of the
learners.

What’s In

Let’s Try!
In your previous lesson, you already discussed earthquakes. You may think of
ideas or concepts related to the word, “Earthquake”. Write your answers on the concept
map (Figure 1) and answer the following guide questions by simply looking at the
shaking earth (Figure 2).

EARTHQUAKE

Figure 1. Concept Map

8
 Figure 2. Shaking Earth

Guide Questions:

Q1. What do you think is inside the Earth? Why do you think so?
_________________________________________________________________________________

Q2. How do people know about the Earth’s interior?

__________________________________________________________________________________

Q3. What methods do you think scientists could use in discovering what is inside the
Earth?
__________________________________________________________________________________

Q4. Why haven’t scientists been able to journey to the center of the Earth?
__________________________________________________________________________________

How do you find your activity? Did you successfully recall your previous lesson?
To check your answers, proceed to the answers key section. If you got 9 and above
correct answers, Congratulations! You really master your past lesson.

Now that you have the idea of the new lesson, perform Activity 1.1,1.2 and 1.3 to
understand more what is inside the Earth or what is in its interior.

Heads Up!
Seismology is the study of earthquakes and seismic waves that move
through and around the earth. A seismologist is a scientist who studies
earthquakes and seismic waves. When an earthquake or explosion occurs,
parts of the energy released are elastic waves that are transmitted through
the earth. The waves are then detected and recorded by seismograms,
which measure, amplify and record the motion of the ground that would
give information about the interior of the Earth.

9
 What’s New

In the following activity, you will learn the motion and properties of earthquake
waves.

Activity 1.1: Simulating the Motion of Earthquakes Waves

Objectives:
After performing this activity, you should be able to:
1. Identify and describe the properties of earthquake waves.

Materials Needed:
Two slinky coil spring (same size)
Watch or timer

You will use a slinky coil spring to model earthquake waves, learn the speed,
direction and behavior of different waves which tell scientists about earthquakes.
Earthquakes are caused when energy is released as the lithosphere (crust and upper
mantle) of the Earth moves. Energy is emitted in the form of waves. There are different
types of waves, some move faster, slower, sideways, or up and down. A seismograph
records these waves on a seismogram. When an earthquake is recorded it is called an
‘’earthquake "event.

There are two types of waves we will investigate on this activity, P waves and S
waves. Primary waves (P waves) fare the first waves that the seismograph records. The
Primary wave is the "fast" wave and can be called a push or pull wave, because it moves
by contracting and expanding along a horizontal path. The second major type of seismic
wave is called an S-wave. S-waves are shear waves and move from side-to-side. S-waves
are slower than P-waves. The particle motion in shear waves is perpendicular to the
direction of the wave.

Figure 3. P-waves and S-waves Motion

10
Procedure:
Part1: Primary Waves (PUSH & PULL)
1. Tie one end of the slinky to the pole or post and stretch it 3 meters. (Do not
overstretch them!) You can also find a partner to hold the other end of the slinky.

2. Create the waves on the slinky and record the time (two complete trips, back and
forth). Practice first by pulling the slinky toward you a bit and then pushing it
away. Notice that a wave travels along the slinky from you to the post or your
partner. Sketch the movement of the slinky in the space provided below.

Sketch Movement of Primary Waves

Part 2: Secondary Waves (SIDE TO SIDE)

1. Shake one end of the slinky from side to side and record the time (two complete
trips, back and forth). Notice that a different type of wave travels along the slinky.
This time, the sections of the slinky move from side to side (horizontally), but the
movement of the slinky is at right angles to the direction of the progressing wave
and sketch the movement of the slinky in the space provided below.

Sketch Movement of Secondary Waves

Guided Questions:
Q1. Which type of waves travelled the fastest in your experiment?

________________________________________________________________________________

Q2. What are the differences and similarities of P-waves and S-waves?
_______________________________________________________________________________

5. Read and understand the background information on this activity and

answer the conclusion questions below.
Background Information:

When an earthquake begins the stress on large blocks of rock becomes greater
than the strength of the rock. The rock breaks, releasing large amounts of energy.
This energy is carried outward in all directions by various seismic waves, some of
which can reach the opposite side of the earth in about twenty minutes. The further
the waves travel from the focus of the earthquake, the weaker they become. P-waves
push and pull the underground rocks, causing structures on the surface to move
back and forth. S-waves and P-waves cause high-frequency vibrations that tend to
cause low buildings to vibrate more than tall structures and they are also known as
‘’ body waves”. Another kind of seismic waves are surface waves. They are long, slow
waves. The low-frequency vibrations that they induce in buildings have more effect

11
 on tall buildings than on low ones. Love waves (Q-waves) are surface seismic waves
that cause horizontal shifting of the earth during an earthquake and shake things
from side-to-side. The slowest seismic waves, Rayleigh waves, are rolling surface
waves that make you feel as if you are struggling to keep your balance on a ship in
the open ocean.
Conclusion Questions:

Q3. Does this agree with the known facts about P-waves and S-waves that cause
earthquakes? Explain your answer.
______________________________________________________________________________

Q4. Which types of earthquake wave travel even slower than P-waves and S-waves?

______________________________________________________________________________
Q5. Which type of waves causes the most damage during an earthquake? Why?

______________________________________________________________________________
Q6. Which frequency of wave (high or low) affects tall buildings the most? Low
buildings?

______________________________________________________________________________

Part 3: Primary and Secondary Waves Velocity and Density in Various Minerals
In this task, you are going to analyze the information given on Table #3 about the
Primary wave and Secondary wave velocities and density in various minerals that will
guide you in answering question #7.

Table 3. Sample of Minerals with P-wave and S-wave Velocity and Density

Minerals P wave velocity (m/s) S wave velocity (m/s) Density (g/cm3)

Soil 300-700 100-300 1.7-2.4

Dry sand 400-1200 100-500 1.5-1.7
Limestone 3500-6000 2000-3300 2.4-2.7
Granite 4500-6000 2500-3300 2.5-2.7
Basalt 5000-6000 2800-3400 2.7-3.1

Q7. Based on Table 3, why do you think that waves (P-waves and S-waves) traveling
through basalt have a higher seismic velocity than a wave traveling through sand?
___________________________________________________________________________________

How are you doing so far? Check again your answers found in the answers key
section. Good if you got 5 and above. This means that you were able to understand that
earthquake waves like the primary waves (P-waves) and the secondary (S-waves) differ
in the directions and speed of their movements. But if you got 4 and below, go back
again to the activity and do your best to get perfect answers and that would help you to
do better in the next activity. Good luck.

12
 The next activity you are going to conduct focuses on the indirect evidence for
the Earth's internal structure from earthquake waves. You will use your prior knowledge
about the properties of seismic waves to interpret a graph showing how the velocities
of P waves and S waves change with depth in the Earth.

Activity 1.2: How do body waves give information about Earth's

interior?
Objective:

After performing this activity, you should be able to:

1. Describe how Primary wave (P wave) and Secondary wave (S wave) move
through the Earth’s interior.

What to do?

Study carefully the graph showing the velocities of S-waves and P-waves in
different layers of the Earth and do the task below.

Legend:
P- Primary Waves
S- Secondary Waves

Figure 4. P-waves and S-waves Velocity

13
Do the Task!

1. Draw dashed lines across the graph to show where S-wave velocity changes suddenly.
2. Label each of the zones between the lines to show how S-wave velocity changes, for
example write ‘wave velocity decreasing’.
Q1. What seismic waves travel faster P waves or S waves?

__________________________________________________________________________________

Q2. Why does S- wave velocity drop to zero at a depth of 2900 km?

__________________________________________________________________________________
Q3. In what way is the P-wave velocity plot different from the S-wave velocity plot
between the Earth’s surface and 2900 km depth?

__________________________________________________________________________________

Q4. In what way is the P-wave velocity plot the same to the S-wave velocity plot between the
Earth’s surface and 2900 km depth?
__________________________________________________________________________________

3. Draw a dotted line on the graph for the area deeper than 2900 km to show where
P-wave velocity changes.

4. Label on the graph above each of the zones from 2900 km to 6400 km to show how
P-wave velocity changes, for example write ‘wave velocity decreasing suddenly’ or
‘wave velocity increasing gradually’.

How are things going? Are you still wondering how we know the interior of the
Earth? To ensure you really understand the concept of earthquake waves we will have
another stretching activity that will explain further on how earthquake waves (body
waves) provide information of the Earth’s interior and how shadow zone occur. Try to
check your answer on the answer key section. Have a good time!

Activity 1.3: Understanding the Structure of the Earth

Even though human and technology do not exist to travel into all of Earth’s
layers, scientists can still learn a great deal about Earth’s structure through seismic
waves. Seismic waves are vibrations in the earth that transmit energy and occur during
seismic activity such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and even man-made
explosions.

In Activity 1.1 and 1.2, you already understood the properties of seismic waves
specifically the body waves (P waves and S waves). Now, take time to study the
illustration below explaining how seismic waves (body waves) determined the layers of
the Earth’s interior and answer the guide questions.

14
Legend:
---------- Primary waves (P-waves)

Secondary Waves (S-waves)

S- Secondary Waves

Figure 5. P-waves and S-waves Shadow Zone

Guided Questions:
Q1. Where in the layers of the Earth do P-waves and S-waves travel?

__________________________________________________________________________________
Q2. What can you say about the P-waves and S-waves in the illustration?

__________________________________________________________________________________

Q3. What happens to P-waves and S-waves as they travel inside the Earth?
__________________________________________________________________________________

Q4. How earthquake waves (body waves) can lead to theories about the internal
structure of the Earth?
__________________________________________________________________________________

Did you enjoy the activities so far? Now, let us further discuss the concept in
this lesson.

15
 What is It

Seismic waves are vibrations in the ground. There are two types of seismic waves,
the body waves and surface waves. Body waves can travel through the earth's inner
layers, but surface waves can only move along the surface of the planet like ripples on
water.

In activity 1.1, you were able to investigate the speed, direction, and the behavior
of seismic waves. Seismic waves propagate differently. Take a look at Figure 6, what can
you say about the direction and movement of each seismic wave?

16
 Figure 6. Seismic Waves

Primary wave (P-wave) is the "fastest" wave and can be called a push or pull wave,
because it moves by contracting and expanding along a horizontal path as demonstrated
in your slinky experiment. Secondary waves (S-wave) are shear waves and move from
side-to-side. The particle motion in shear waves is perpendicular to the direction of the
wave. Surface waves propagate along the surface of the Earth (where all the buildings
and people are) and usually have much higher amplitudes than the P-waves and S-
wave.
The speed at which seismic waves travel depends on the properties of the material
that they are passing through. For example, the denser a material is, the faster a seismic
wave travel. That is the reason, why P and S waves travel faster in basalt than dry sand.
The table below shows that P-wave and S waves velocity is depending on the materials
they are passing through.

Table 3. Sample of Minerals with P-wave and S-wave Velocity and Density

Minerals P wave velocity (m/s) S wave velocity (m/s) Density (g/cm3)

Soil 300-700 100-300 1.7-2.4

Dry sand 400-1200 100-500 1.5-1.7
Limestone 3500-6000 2000-3300 2.4-2.7
Granite 4500-6000 2500-3300 2.5-2.7
Basalt 5000-6000 2800-3400 2.7-3.1
As shown at Figure 4, how does P-wave and S-wave tell us about the structure of
the Earth’s interior? When an earthquake occurs, the seismic waves (P and S waves)
spread out in all directions through the Earth's interior. P-waves is the fastest wave that
pass through both mantle and core but are slowed and refracted at the mantle-core
boundary (2900 km). P-waves generally bend outward as they travel through the mantle
due to the increasing density of mantle rocks with depth this indicates that P-waves
slowdown in the outer core, suggesting that layer has different composition and may
actually be liquid.
Why does the line for S-wave velocity disappear in the outer core (see Figure 4)?
S-waves are shear waves that can only propagate through solid. Liquid is lack of shear
strength, this is the reason why, if you take a glass of water and suddenly remove the
glass, the water will not keep its shape. S-waves need a medium that is rigid enough for
them to propagate. This means that the outer core is liquid materials and the S-waves
cannot travel through it. Since both P waves and S waves travel through the crust and
mantle, this means that it must be a layer of solid material.

17
 Figure 4. P-waves and S-waves Velocity

In Figure 5, have you seen shadow in the parts of Earth? Why do earthquake
waves develop shadow zone? A seismic shadow zones have taught us much about the
inside of the earth. This shows how P waves travel through solids and liquids, but S
waves are stopped by the liquid outer core. The S wave shadow zone is the area wherein
S waves are not detected. This shadow zone has led geologists to a model of the Earth
with a solid mantle and a liquid core.

When P waves reach the solid parts of the Earth they bend and bend again as
they hit the liquid part of the Earth. All the bending of waves creates a ‘’ shadow’’ where
no P waves reach seismographs on the Earth’s surface. An earthquake radiates P and S
waves in all directions and the interaction of the P and S waves with Earth's surface and
shallow structure produces surface waves. After numerous earthquakes, seismologist
was able to use the pattern of P waves reaching the surface to see into the Earth’s
interior.

Figure 5. P-waves and S-waves Shadow Zone

18
 Humans have never drilled past Earth’s crust, and yet we know a lot about the
composition of the earth’s interior. Scientists rely on seismic waves generated by
earthquakes and explosions that travel through Earth and across its surface to reveal
the structure of the interior of the Earth.

In general, seismic signals consist of several kinds of waves. Those important for
understanding the Earth’s interior are P-waves, (compressional waves), and S-waves
(shear waves), which travel through solid and liquid material in different ways. The
study of seismic waves and how they travel through the Earth has been very useful in
helping to determine the changes in density and composition within the Earth and in
locating the boundaries between the inner core, outer core, mantle, and crust.

After conducting series of activities, you already knew that studies of seismic
waves can tell us much about the nature of the Earth’s structure.

Let us try another challenging activity. Have fun!

What’s More

In this activity, you are going to name and describe the layers of the Earth using
seismic waves (body waves).

Activity 2: Describe Me

Most of what we know about the interior of the Earth comes from the study of
seismic waves from earthquakes. Seismic waves from large earthquakes pass
throughout the Earth. These waves contain vital information about the internal
structure of the Earth.

In previous activity, you explained how body waves (P-waves and S-waves) travel
through the interior of the earth. Now, you will name and describe the layers of the
Earth using seismic waves (body waves). Do the task below.

a. Label the layers of the Earth

b. Describe each layers of the Earth using P waves and S waves.

19
 We are almost done with our lesson. Did you enjoy and learn from the activity?
Check again your answers found in the answers key section. If you got 75 % of the total
score which is 6 and above, you really understood the concepts on how earthquake
waves (body waves) give information about the interior of the Earth.

Let us examine your understanding on previous activities. You can do it!

What I Have Learned

When you try this activity, you will find out whether you fully understand the
important concept of earthquake waves on how it provides information of the Earth’s
interior.
Activity 3: Complete Me!

Select the term/s from the WORD BANK to complete the statements below. Some
term/s may be used more than once. I know you can make it!

Primary Wave Seismic Wave Distance Core

Secondary Wave Seismograph Back and forth Mantle
Surface Wave Compressional Perpendicular Crust

Read and understand each statement below before answering.

1. At a seismic station the first waves to arrive are ___________________________.

2. At a seismic station the second waves to arrive are ________________________.

3. At a seismic station the last waves to arrive are ___________________________.

4. ________________________ are the waves of energy caused by the sudden breaking of

rock within the earth or an explosion.

5. Primary waves are also known as ______________________, because of the pushing

and pulling they do.

6. _____________________ cannot travel through air or water but are more destructive
than P-waves because of their larger amplitudes.

7. From the S-P interval a seismologist can determine the ______________________ to an

Earthquake.
8. ________________________ travels through solids and liquids, enabling them to travel
through the inner and outer core.

20
9. ________________________ travels along the ground outward from an earthquake’s
epicenter and the slowest of all seismic waves.

10. Secondary waves particle motion is_______________________ to the direction of wave

propagation.

What I Can Do

Activity 4: DO OR NOT TO DO IT?

We already know that earthquake waves are virtually impossible to predict. They
can occur at any time without warning. Try to imagine, when suddenly the ground
beneath you starts moving. Read each situation below carefully. Write D on the line if
you think the statement is important thing to do and ND if you think the statement is
unnecessary thing you should not do during earthquake waves.
_____1. If you are in school, do the duck, cover and hold.
_____2. If you are in a high-rise-building, and not near a desk or table, move
against an interior wall and protect your head with your arms. Stay indoors.
Glass windows can dislodge during the quake and sail for hundreds of feet.
_____3. If you are trapped under debris during earthquake, shout out loudly and
casually until you lost your energy.
_____4. If you are outdoors, move to a closed area or stay near the trees, signs,
buildings, streetlights, and electrical wires or utility wires.
_____5. If you are in a shopping mall, go into the nearest store. Stay away from
windows, and shelves with heavy objects.
_____6. If you are driving, stop on or under a bridge or overpass or under trees, light
posts, power lines, or signs.
_____7. If you are on the beach, wait for any official alarm sound even if you saw
huge waves of tsunami and stay where you are until earthquake stops.
_____8. If you are in a mountainous area, watch out for falling rock, landslides, trees,
and other debris that could be loosened by quakes.
_____9. If you are in a crowded or public place, rush for exits or stay near on the
display shelves for protection.
_____10. If you are on a bus, stay in your seat until the bus stops. Take cover in a
protected place. If you cannot take cover, sit in a crouched positioned and
protect your head from falling debris.
Are you confused on what to do or not to do during earthquake waves? Well,
wherever you are when an earthquake strikes, take drop, cover immediately and hold
on until the shaking stops and most importantly do not panic. Now, let us measure your
knowledge and understanding on how earthquake waves provide information about the
interior of the Earth. Let us find out!

21
 Assessment

Congratulations for the job well done! After conducting series of activities
prepared for you in this module, you are now ready to answer our assessment on how
earthquake waves give information about the interior of the Earth.

Encircle the letter of the correct answer.

1. Which statement best explains why the P-wave of an earthquake arrives at a

seismic station before the S-wave?
A. The S wave originates from the earthquake focus.
B. The P wave has a greater velocity than the S wave.
C. The P wave originates from the earthquake epicenter.
D. The S wave decreases in velocity as it passes through the liquid.

2. What is the useful information regarding the composition of the interior of the
Earth can be derived from earthquake waves?
A. It changes radioactive decay rates of rocks.
B. It releases materials from within the Earth.
C. It travels through the Earth at a constant speed.
D. It travels at different rates through different materials.

3. Which layer of the Earth does S-waves do not travel?

A. core B. crust C. mantle D. moho

4. How do rock particles move during the passage of a Primary wave (P-waves)
through the rock?
A. the particles do not move
B. in a rolling circular motion
C. back and forth parallel to the direction of wave travel
D. back and forth perpendicular to the direction of wave travel

5. Which of the following sequences correctly lists the different arrivals of the
waves from first to the last?
A. P waves → S waves → Surface waves
B. Surface waves → P waves → S waves
C. P waves → Surface waves → S waves
D. S waves → P waves → Surface waves

6. Which seismic waves travel through the interior layer of the Earth?
A. body waves C. inner waves
B. deep waves D. surface waves

7. What is the most destructive earthquake wave?

A. S waves C. Q waves
B. P waves D. Surface waves

22
For items 8 to 11, refer to the given illustration below.

8. What causes the up-and-down wiggles on the seismogram shown above?

A. tsunami waves C. electromagnetic pulses
B. ground vibrations D. variations in air pressure

9. Which set of waves are probably the surface waves?

A. Wave A C. Wave C
B. Wave B D. They are all surface waves.

10. Which set of waves are the P waves?

A. Wave A C. Wave C
B. Wave B D. They are all P waves

11. Which set of waves are the S waves?

A. Wave A C. Wave C
B. Wave B D. They are all S waves

12. Which of the following earthquake waves can travel through both solids and
fluids?
A. P waves only C. Q-waves only
B. S waves only D. Both P and S waves

13. What do you call the motion or vibration of earthquake that travels outward
from the focus?
A. chemical energy C. gravity waves
B. electromagnetic waves D. seismic waves

14. In the upper part of the mantle, the earthquake waves slow down. It is
explained that ________.
A. that outer core is solid.
B. rocks are partially molten.
C. at depth the rocks are denser.
D. rocks confined at that particular location tightly packed together.

15. Which of the following statements BEST describes Secondary Waves (S-waves)?
A. circular motions like an ocean wave
B. snake-like motions parallel to the Earth's surface
C. contractions and expansions that are in the direction of wave propagation
D. shearing motions that are at right angles to the direction of wave propagation.

23
 Additional Activities

Activity 5: Organizing Thoughts

Challenge yourself!
Before we end our lesson, let us have another challenging and enriching
activity. Write your comparing and contrasting ideas on properties of body waves (P-
wave and S-wave) in the Venn diagram below.

P- Waves S- Waves

Both

Figure 7. Venn Diagram

24
 25
What’s New What’s In
Activity 1.1. Simulating the motion of Engaging Activity
Earthquake Waves Q1. Core (iron, nickel)
Q1. Primary waves (P-waves) Mantle (silicon, magnesium,
Q2. Properties of P and S waves iron, aluminum, and calcium)
Q3. Yes. P waves travel faster than S waves Crust (water, basalt, and
and it has greater velocity granite)
Q4. Surface waves Q2. By studying meteorites and
Q5. Rayleigh waves is the slowest waves direct observation (rocks
that can cause both vertical and horizontal originating from depth)
ground motion. Q3. Studying earthquake waves
Q6. Love and Rayleigh Waves (tall (Seismology)
buildings) Q4. Because of the discovery of
Q7. Because basalt is less dense than sand. the seismic waves that can give
For No. 3 and 4 information on Earth’s interior
and rocks composition.
What’s In (Review)
What I Know
Earthquake Concepts (Answer may vary)
1. C
• Earthquake is a sudden movement of Earth’s
2. A
crust.
3. B
• Focus is where the earthquake originated 4. C
• Epicenter of an earthquake is the point on the 5. A
surface of Earth. 6. B
• Magnitude is used to describe the size of the 7. D
Earthquake. 8. D
• A fault is a weak point within a tectonic plate 9. A
where pressure from beneath the surface can 10. A
11. A
break through and causing shaking in an
12. D
earthquake. 13. B
• The outer layer (crust) of Earth is divided into 14. D
sections called tectonic plates. 15. B
• Tsunami a giant wave created by an undersea
earthquake, volcanic activity, or landslide.
• Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes that occur
after the main earthquake in the same area.
• Foreshock are smaller earthquakes occur in the
same area as a larger earthquake that follows.
Answer Key
 26
What’s More
Activity 2: Describe Me
A.
1. Crust
2. Mantle
3. Outer Core
4. Inner Core
B.
Crust: P and S waves pass through, so it is solid.
Mantle: P waves travel faster through mantle than S waves, so it is solid.
Outer Core: S waves cannot travel through it, so it is liquid.
Inner core: P waves travel through, so it is solid.
Activity 1.3: Understanding the Structured of the Earth
Q1. P waves travel in the Earth’s crust, mantle, outer and inner core.
S waves travel in the Earth’s crust and mantle only.
Q2. P wave can move both solid and liquid while S wave can move only in solid
materials. P wave is faster than S wavs.
Q3. P-waves pass through both mantle and core but are slowed and refracted
at the mantle and core boundary. S-waves passing from the mantle to the core
are absorbed because shear waves cannot be transmitted through liquids.
Q4. Seismic waves from large earthquakes pass throughout the Earth. These
waves contain vital information about the internal structure of the Earth. As
seismic waves pass through the Earth they are refracted or bent depending on
the material they pass through.
Activity 1.2: How do body waves give information about Earth's interior?
1. Lines drawn at a little more than 0 km, at 2900 km and at about 5100 km.
2. In the zone between 0 km and 2900 km wave velocity is increasing. In the
zone between 2900 km and 5100 km the wave velocity is zero
Q1. P waves
Q2. Wave velocity drops to zero at 2900 km depth, as this is where liquid core
starts, and S- (shear) waves cannot travel through liquids.
Q3. P-wave velocity has a higher value and a greater gradient than the S-wave
velocity plot. P-wave velocity reduces sharply at 2900 km depth but not to zero
as S-wave velocity does.
Q4. Both P- and S-waves show rapid increase in velocity just below the surface
(beneath the crust), varying but rising velocities to almost 1000 km depth then
slowly increasing velocities to 2900 km. S- and P-wave velocities drop
significantly between about 100 and 250 km depth.
3. A line drawn on graph to show P-wave velocity changing near 5100 km
4.P-waves ‘’ Wave velocity decreases suddenly ‘’ from 2900–5100 km, ‘’wave
velocity increases gradually’’ at 5100 km and then remains to the center of the
Earth.
 27
S-WAVES P-WAVES
Both
Moves perpendicular to the Moves parallel to the
direction of the waves direction of the wave
Travels in
solid material
Cannot travel in liquid
materials Travels in liquid materials
Body waves
Compressional Waves
Shear Waves
S WAVES
Assessment What I Can Do What I Have Learned
1. B Activity 4: DO OR NOT Activity 3: Complete
2. D TO DO IT? Me
3. A
1. Primary Waves
4. C 1. D
5. A 2. D 2. Secondary Waves
6. A 3. ND
3. Surface Waves
7. D 4. ND
8. B 5. D 4. Seismic Waves
9. C 6. ND
10. A 7. ND 5. Compressional
11. B 8. D 6. Secondary Waves
12. A 9. ND
13. D 10. D 7. Distance
14. B 8. Primary Waves
15. D
9. Surface Waves
10. Perpendicular
References

Book Sources:
DepEd Learning Module in Grade Eight Science

DepEd K to 12 Science Curriculum Guide

28
 DISCLAIMER
This Self-learning Module (SLM) was developed by DepEd SOCCSKSARGEN with
the primary objective of preparing for and addressing the new normal. Contents
of this module were based on DepEd’s Most Essential Learning Competencies
(MELC). This is a supplementary material to be used by all learners of Region XII
in all public schools beginning SY 2020-2021. The process of LR development
was observed in the production of this module. This is version 1.0. We highly
encourage feedback, comments, and recommendations.

For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:

Department of Education – SOCCSKSARGEN

Learning Resource Management System (LRMS)

Regional Center, Brgy. Carpenter Hill, City of Koronadal

Telefax No.: (083) 2288825/ (083) 2281893

Email Address: region12@deped.gov.ph

29
 Prepared by:

EVELYN B. SUMALILING
Teacher I/Writer

Checked & Reviewed by:

NERISSA A. ALFAFARA EDILBERT A. REYES, PhD

Education Program Supervisor- Science Division Science Coordinator

Evaluated by:

SALLY A. PALOMO
Education Program Supervisor-LRMS

Approved:

JULIET F. LASTIMOSA
Chief-Curriculum Implementation Division