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P-waves and S-waves are released by an earthquake at the same time and travel out from the epicentre in all directions. However P-waves travel faster than S-waves so the further away from the earthquake's epicentre the greater the lead the P-waves have on the S-waves.

Observation of the seismogram trace at the seismometer station will allow the scientists to find the P-wave and S-wave arrival times and measure the difference between them. As the P-waves are faster they always arrive first (hence their name - primary wave). The greater the difference between the time that the P-waves and S-waves first arrive (i.e. the greater the lead the P-waves have), the further the distance to the epicentre.

They are able to use the time difference along with an estimate of the speed of the P-waves and S-waves to find the distance from the station to the earthquakes epicentre.

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Detail how earthquake epicenter are located by seismograph stations?

Earthquake epicenters are located using data from multiple seismograph stations that record seismic waves generated by an earthquake. Each station measures the time it takes for seismic waves to arrive, particularly the primary (P) and secondary (S) waves. By calculating the difference in arrival times of these waves at three or more stations, seismologists can determine the distance from each station to the epicenter. Using trilateration, the intersection of these distances on a map reveals the precise location of the earthquake's epicenter.


What is a seismic travel time curve?

A seismic travel time curve describes the relation between the travel time of a seismic wave and the epicentral distance. It is used to calculate the calculate the distance of the earthquake's epicenter from the seismograph.


If a p wave arrives at a seismograph station at 907 am and the S waves arrives at the same seismograph stations at 909 an about how fare is that station from the epicenter of the earthquake?

To estimate the distance from the seismograph station to the earthquake epicenter, we can use the typical speed of P waves (approximately 6 km/s) and S waves (approximately 3.5 km/s). The time difference between the P wave and S wave arrival is 2 minutes (or 120 seconds). Given that P waves travel faster, we can calculate the distance using the time difference, which would be approximately 360 km from the epicenter to the station.


Which city on the map is closest to the earthquake epicenter?

To determine which city is closest to the earthquake epicenter, you'll need to examine the map for the marked epicenter location and then measure the distance to each city. The city with the shortest distance from the epicenter is the closest. If you provide specific city names or coordinates, I can help you analyze the data further.


Why is magnitude a better measure of strength of earthquakes than intensity?

The difference is that intensity is the extent of damage released by an earthquake and is measured differently at different places depending on its distance from the epicenter while the magnitude is the amount of energy released by an earthquake and it has a fixed energy as it is released by an earthquake.

Related Questions

Why three seismograph stations are needed to determine the location of an epicenter?

Three seismograph stations are needed to determine the location of an epicenter because each seismograph can determine distance to the epicenter but not direction. The point where the three circles intersect is the epicenter of the earthquake. +++ Focus - not epicentre, which is the point of maximum movement on the surface above the slip itself.


Why are seismographs stations needed to determine the location of an epicenter?

Three seismograph stations are needed to determine the location of an epicenter because each seismograph can determine distance to the epicenter but not direction. The point where the three circles intersect is the epicenter of the earthquake. +++ Focus - not epicentre, which is the point of maximum movement on the surface above the slip itself.


When an earthquake occurs data from one seismograph can tell you what?

When an earthquake occurs, data from one seismograph can tell you the arrival time of seismic waves, the distance from the earthquake epicenter to the seismograph, and the magnitude of the earthquake. By analyzing this data, scientists can determine the location and strength of the earthquake.


One seismograph station by itself can determine the?

One seismograph station by itself can determine the approximate location of an earthquake, as well as provide information on the earthquake's magnitude and timing. However, having multiple seismograph stations in different locations allows for more accurate determination of the earthquake's epicenter and depth.


How do you use triangulation to locate an earthquakes epicenter with three seismographs?

To locate an earthquake's epicenter using triangulation with three seismographs, first, each seismograph records the time it takes for seismic waves to reach it. By calculating the difference in arrival times of the primary (P) and secondary (S) waves, the distance from each seismograph to the epicenter can be determined. Each seismograph provides a circular area around it, with a radius equal to the calculated distance. The epicenter is located at the point where all three circles intersect.


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?

The time difference between the arrival of P waves and S waves at a seismograph station is used to determine the distance of an earthquake's epicenter. By measuring this time lag and knowing the speed at which each wave travels through the Earth's interior, scientists can calculate the distance the waves traveled to reach the station. The farther apart the arrival times of P and S waves, the greater the distance of the epicenter from the station.


What is the method used to figure out the epicenter of an earthquake?

epicenter and seiesmic waves, find the distance and seismograph stations


What is the difference of the P waves and S waves used to locate an earthquake's epicenter?

P waves, also called primary waves, are the first waves to be registered on a seismograph. The S waves, or secondary waves, are the second and slower wave to register on the seismograph. When locating an earthquakes epicenter seismologists take the first reading of the P wave, and then take the reading from the S wave. At the station of where the earthquake was recorded, seismologists draw a large circle from where the earthquakes epicenter could be. TO exactly located the earthquakes epicenter there needs to be at least 3 dfferent staions where the earthquake hit to determine its epicenter using the S and P time interval. 


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

The time it takes for seismic waves to reach the seismograph can be used to calculate the distance between the epicenter and seismograph. By knowing the average speed of seismic waves in the earth, the time difference between the arrival of P- and S-waves can be used to determine the distance.


What can you learn from only one seismogram?

From one seismogram, you can learn about the timing, magnitude, and location of an earthquake. By analyzing the wave patterns captured on the seismogram, seismologists can determine the earthquake's Richter magnitude, depth, and distance from the seismograph station that recorded it.


Geologists use the difference in the arrival times of P waves and S waves at a seismograph to determine?

the distance to the earthquake's epicenter. P waves, or primary waves, travel faster than S waves, or secondary waves, so the interval between their arrival times can be used to calculate the distance the seismic waves have traveled. By measuring this time difference at different seismograph stations, geologists can triangulate the epicenter of the earthquake.


How do you figure out the distance of an epicenter?

The distance of an epicenter from a seismograph station can determined by the time it takes for the seismic waves to reach each station. You need at least 3 seismic stations to record the event to determine this. The time taken for each seismic station to resisted the event will be different as they are different distances from the epicenter. The distance to the epicenter can then be calculated for each station and a epicenter can be determined by a triangulation from all stations that have registered the event.