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How do scientists find the distance of an epicenter from a seismograph?
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
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)
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoSeismographs measure the arrival time of the various types of seismic waves along with their frequency and amplitude.
Using the difference between the arrival time of the P and S Waves, seismologists can then calculate the distance to the earthquake epicentre.
Please see the related question for more information.
Wiki User
∙ 7y agoScientists can calculate the depth to the earthquake's Focus (NOT epicentre) by measuring the time difference between arrival times of the two or more sets of waves, and using the distance on a travel time graph at which the P-wave and S-wave have the same separation.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agos-p time method
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How could you find the location of the epicenter?
how do seismologist know how to find the location of a epicenter
How does a seismograph find the severity of an earthquake?
a seismograph can find the severity of an earthquake by graphing the measures of distances and strength of an earthquake.
What two things can a seismometer detect?
Ground motion, earthquakes and nuclear explosions for example.
A seismograph station can determine its distance from an earthquake's epicenter by .?
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. For more information on this please see the related question.
How do people sense seismic waves?
They use the Richter scale to measure the speed of the earthquakes. Levels of earthquakes 2.0 ---> can't be felt 4.0 ---> do not cause damage 5.0---> can cause damage 6.0 ---> considered strong 7.0---> is a major earthquake +++ That is not correct. You have confused speed with intensity. The Richter scale, which is logarithmic, measures the intensity ("strength" if you like). The speed is measured in ordinary linear units like metre/second or km/hr, calculated from observing the earthquake's waves' progress past seismographs around the world.
What is the method used to figure out the epicenter of an earthquake?
epicenter and seiesmic waves, find the distance and seismograph stations
How do scientists find the distance to the epicenter of the quake?
they used the focus
How many seismograph data points are required to locate an earthquake's epicenter?
At least 3 stations are required to find the epicenter
How many seismograph stations does it take to find an exact location of an earthquake's epicenter?
It takes 3 stations.
Can the SP time method be used with one seismograph station to locate the epicenter of an earthquake?
No. One seismograph station will only allow you to calculate the distance to the earthquake's focus. (The epicentre is on the surface above.) To find its exact location you need the recordings from at least 3 seismograph stations.For more information on the SP time method, please see the related question.
What waves do scientists use to find an earthquake's epicenter?
seismic waves
A travel-time graph can be used to find?
the distance from a epicenter to an earthquake :)
If using only one seismograph what would it measure?
It would depend on the size of the quake. It is certainly possible to use only one seismograph, it would just be impossible to use triangulation to find the epicenter of the tremble, as it requires at least three.
A travel-time graph can be used to find the?
The distance of an earthquake epicenter from a seismic station. Using the Three point method, the distance from 3 seismic stations are used to locate the epicenter by triangulation.
A travel-time graph can be used to find the .?
The distance of an earthquake epicenter from a seismic station. Using the Three point method, the distance from 3 seismic stations are used to locate the epicenter by triangulation.
How do you use triangulation to find an epicenter of an earthquake?
the find the epicenter the find the focus from the epicenter
What can a travel time graph can be used to find?
A travel time graph can be used to find the distance from the epicenter of an earthquake.
