Describe how scientists can locate the epicenter of an earthquake. the answer is: seismologist use the seismic waves produced by an earthquake to locate the epicenter. because p waves travel through the earth at different speeds than s waves, seismologist can determine the distance from their station that an earthquake has occurred. once that is determined, a circle is drawn around the seismograph on a map at that distance. this information is combined with information from two other locations. the epicenter of the earthquake is located where all three circles meet.