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The P waves vibrate very quickly out from the epicenter first in all directions, in a circular way passing the station.

The S waves then vibrate out from the epicenter a few seconds later and cause the sideways shaking of the land as they pass the station.

The P wave then reflects off the core of the Earth and bounces back past the station, followed by the S wave a few seconds later because both waves reflect off the earths core back to the epicenter.

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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. 


What is a seismograph station?

A seismograph station is a facility equipped with seismographs to detect and record earthquakes, tremors, and other seismic activities. These stations are strategically located to monitor seismic events and are crucial for studying and understanding earthquakes.


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?

At least three seismograph stations are needed to triangulate and locate the epicenter of an earthquake. By comparing the arrival times of P and S waves at these stations, scientists can pinpoint the origin of the earthquake.


What state is the epicenter located in?

The epicenter of an earthquake is located in the state where the earthquake originates.


How are faults and epicenters related?

The violent shaking and destruction associated with earthquakes are the result of rupture and slippage along fractures in Earth's crust called faults. Larger quakes result from the rupture of larger fault segments. The origin of an earthquake occurs at depths between 5 and 700 kilometers, at the focus(foci = a point). The point at the surface directly above the focus is called the epicenter.

Related Questions

How could u tell were the epicenter is located with 2 seismograph readings?

The difference between the two seismograph readings could tell you where the epicenter is located.


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.


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. 


How many seismograph reading are needed before an earthquake's epicenter can be located?

Typically, at least three seismograph readings are needed in order to locate an earthquake's epicenter. By comparing the arrival times of the seismic waves at each station, seismologists can triangulate the precise location of the earthquake's epicenter.


What are the names of the earthquakes that happen in California?

The names come where the epicenter is located.


What is a seismograph station?

A seismograph station is a facility equipped with seismographs to detect and record earthquakes, tremors, and other seismic activities. These stations are strategically located to monitor seismic events and are crucial for studying and understanding earthquakes.


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?

At least three seismograph stations are needed to triangulate and locate the epicenter of an earthquake. By comparing the arrival times of P and S waves at these stations, scientists can pinpoint the origin of the earthquake.


What is name of the unit which used to write earthquake?

An earthquakes magnitude is measures buy a Richter scale which was invented by Dr. Charles Richter in the 1930s a seismologist of the California state institution it is the measure of the largest seismic wave recorded on a certain seismograph located 100 clicks, roughly 62 miles from the epicenter of an earthquake.


What state is the epicenter located in?

The epicenter of an earthquake is located in the state where the earthquake originates.


Where is the earthquake's epicenter is located?

The epicenter is the surface located right above the focus, which is the center of an earthquake.


Where does the epicenter located?

Its located above the focus


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

I think you mean "Focus": the Epicentre is the point of maximum movement on the surface above, and that's usually obvious. The focus is located by triangulation and velocity calculations from seismograph data.