A hammer-and-plate source and professional seismic recorder let learners identify P, S and surface waves and triangulate an epicentre. Five trials averaged 0.6 m error using an averaged site velocity structure.
Key findings
- A statistically averaged velocity structure reduced mean Euclidean distance error to 0.6 m, while error triangles made phase-picking and velocity uncertainty visible.
Why this matters globally
The activity translates network-scale seismology into a tangible experiment teaching both physical laws and uncertainty.
Thai researcher contribution
A Prince of Songkla University researcher developed and tested the activity in a Thai university setting.
Limitations to consider
Only five trials were reported, without learner outcomes or a comparator. Professional equipment may limit accessibility, and courtyard accuracy does not equal real-earthquake localization.