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The distance to the epicenter

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Q: Geologists use the difference in the arrival times of P waves and S waves at a seismograph to determine?
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Do Geologists use the difference in the arrival time of P and S waves at a seismograph to determine the magnitude of an earthquake?

No. Seismologists (a type of geophysicist) use the difference in the arrival time of P and S waves to estimate the distance from the seismometer station to the epicentre of the earthquake.


How is the fact that P waves travel more quickly the S waves used to determine the distance of an earthquake's epicenter from a seismograph station?

Given the difference in arrival times, you can determine the distance from the epicenter.


The distance between an earthquake epicenter and the location of a seismograph can be calculated because?

4. shear waves and compression waves travel at different speeds, therefore the difference in arrival time can be used to fix the distance.


What do scientists use to calculate the distance from the seismograph station to the focus?

The diffrence in arrival times of P and S waves.


What would you use to determine the distance that seismic waves have traveled from the origin to that station?

The difference in arrival times between P and S-waves as measured on a seismometer can be used to determine the distance to the origin.


How is the fact that P-waves travel faster that S-waves used to determine the distance of an earthquake epicenter from an seismograph station?

Using the difference in their arrival times and an estimate of their velocity of propagation you can calculate the distance of the earthquake epicentre from the seismometer recording station. If you do this from three or more different seismometer stations you can triangulate it's position. For more information please see the related question.


What is the fewest number of seismograph stations that must record the arrival time of P and S waves in order for the epicenter of an earthquake to be located?

Three


How is the distance of a seismograph from the earthquakes related to the arrival times of the waves?

It starts from the center, I'm pretty sure, and then moves out from there. BORDERLANDS 2 ALL THE WAY!


How do scientists find the distance of an epicenter from a seismograph?

They measure the difference in arrival times of P and S seismic waves as measured on a seismograph. From this (based on an estimate of their relative velocities) they can calculate the distance of the seismometer from the earthquakes epicentre using the following equation:Distance to epicentre (km) = Time Difference (s) x (VP - VS) / (VS x VP)Where:VP = P-wave velocity (km/s)VS = S-wave velocity (km/s)


Is data about an earthquake from two seismographic stations enough information to locate the epicenter?

From Science Explorer Prentice Hall Earth Science: " Geologists use seismic waves to locate an earthquake's epicenter. Seismic waves travel at different speeds. P waves arrive at a seismograph first, with S waves following close behind. To tell how far the epicenter is from the seismograph, scientists measure the difference between the arrival time of the P waves and S waves. The farther away an earthquake is, the greater the time between arrival of the P waves and the S waves." Did this help?


What type of data do geologists use to locate an earthquake's epicenter?

Seismologists use the data from triangulated seismographs to locate an earthquake's epicenter. The difference in time between the arrival of p and s waves at a seismometer tells the distance to the epicenter of an earthquake. To get the exact location, scientists must collect data from at least three seismometers. The point where all three circles is the epicenter of the earthquake. +++ The Epicentre is generally obvious: it is the point of maximum disturbance on the surface. The centre of the actual slip is the Focus, and this has to be calculated from seismograph data by triangulating from wave velocities.


What type of data do geologists use to locate earthquakes epicenter?

Seismologists use the data from triangulated seismographs to locate an earthquake's epicenter. The difference in time between the arrival of p and s waves at a seismometer tells the distance to the epicenter of an earthquake. To get the exact location, scientists must collect data from at least three seismometers. The point where all three circles is the epicenter of the earthquake. +++ The Epicentre is generally obvious: it is the point of maximum disturbance on the surface. The centre of the actual slip is the Focus, and this has to be calculated from seismograph data by triangulating from wave velocities.