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As P-waves travel at a higher velocity than S-waves they arrive at a seismometer station before the S-waves. The difference between their arrival time can be used to calculate the distance from the seismometer station to the epicentre.

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Rubye Mante

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When finding an epicenter do you subtract s wave minus the p wave?

No, to find the epicenter of an earthquake, you use the difference in arrival times between the P-wave and the S-wave at a seismograph station. The greater the time difference between the two waves, the farther the earthquake's epicenter is from that particular station. Subtraction is not directly involved in this process.


How do you determine an p-s interval on a seismogram?

To determine the P-S interval on a seismogram, first identify the arrival times of the P-waves and S-waves. The P-wave is the first seismic wave to arrive, so locate its initial peak on the seismogram. Next, find the point where the S-wave arrives, which is characterized by a distinct increase in amplitude following the P-wave. The time difference between the two arrivals, known as the P-S interval, can then be calculated by subtracting the P-wave arrival time from the S-wave arrival time.


How do you determine the difference in time between the arrival of the primary (P) wave and the arrival of the secondary (S) wave during an earthquake?

To determine the difference in time between the arrival of the primary (P) wave and the secondary (S) wave during an earthquake, seismologists analyze data from seismic sensors. They identify the first arrival time of the P wave, which travels faster, and then the later arrival time of the S wave. The difference in these arrival times is recorded, and this time interval can be used to estimate the distance to the earthquake's epicenter using known velocities of the seismic waves. This method is fundamental in locating earthquakes and understanding their magnitude.


What are the steps of the S-P time method?

The S-P time method is used to determine the distance to an earthquake epicenter. The first step is to measure the time difference between the arrival of the primary (P) waves and the secondary (S) waves at a seismograph station. The second step is to use a travel-time graph to determine the distance to the epicenter based on the time interval between the P and S waves. Finally, by using data from at least three seismograph stations, the exact location of the earthquake epicenter can be triangulated.


How far from an earthquake epicenter is a city where the difference between the p wave and S wave arrival times is 6 minutes and 20 seconds?

To estimate the distance from the earthquake epicenter, we can use the fact that P-waves travel faster than S-waves, typically at speeds of about 6 km/s for P-waves and 3.5 km/s for S-waves. The time difference of 6 minutes and 20 seconds (or 380 seconds) can be used to calculate the distance. The formula is ( \text{Distance} = (P \text{-wave speed} - S \text{-wave speed}) \times \text{Time difference} ). Using the speeds mentioned, this results in a distance of approximately 1,140 kilometers from the epicenter.

Related Questions

What is S P lag time?

the difference between the arrival of the p-wave and s-wave


What is S-P lag time?

the difference between the arrival of the p-wave and s-wave


The first s-wave arrive at a seismograph station 11 minutes after an earthquake occurred how long after the arrival of the first p-wave did the first s-wave arrive?

The P-wave generally arrives before the S-wave during an earthquake. The time difference between them can help determine the distance to the earthquake's epicenter. In this case, if the S-wave arrived 11 minutes after the earthquake, you would need to calculate the time difference between the arrival of the P-wave and the S-wave to determine how long after the P-wave arrival the S-wave arrived.


How is the distance between the seismic station and the earthquake epicenter determined?

The distance between a seismic station and the earthquake epicenter is determined from the S-P interval, which is the time difference between the time of arrival of the first P wave and the first S wave.


What is the difference between arrival times of a p-wave and a s-wave?

s waves are about 60% slower than p waves, so basicaly p waves are about twice as fast. The actual time in like minutes or hours depends on where the epicenter is, and where you are recording from


When finding an epicenter do you subtract s wave minus the p wave?

No, to find the epicenter of an earthquake, you use the difference in arrival times between the P-wave and the S-wave at a seismograph station. The greater the time difference between the two waves, the farther the earthquake's epicenter is from that particular station. Subtraction is not directly involved in this process.


How do you determine an p-s interval on a seismogram?

To determine the P-S interval on a seismogram, first identify the arrival times of the P-waves and S-waves. The P-wave is the first seismic wave to arrive, so locate its initial peak on the seismogram. Next, find the point where the S-wave arrives, which is characterized by a distinct increase in amplitude following the P-wave. The time difference between the two arrivals, known as the P-S interval, can then be calculated by subtracting the P-wave arrival time from the S-wave arrival time.


How do you determine the difference in time between the arrival of the primary (P) wave and the arrival of the secondary (S) wave during an earthquake?

To determine the difference in time between the arrival of the primary (P) wave and the secondary (S) wave during an earthquake, seismologists analyze data from seismic sensors. They identify the first arrival time of the P wave, which travels faster, and then the later arrival time of the S wave. The difference in these arrival times is recorded, and this time interval can be used to estimate the distance to the earthquake's epicenter using known velocities of the seismic waves. This method is fundamental in locating earthquakes and understanding their magnitude.


What is the difference between a siesmic wave and a seismograph?

a siesmic wave is a wave that travels through the earth. there are two MAIN types, P and S waves. a siesmograph shows the type of wave and how far away it is from that point.


What are the steps of the S-P time method?

The S-P time method is used to determine the distance to an earthquake epicenter. The first step is to measure the time difference between the arrival of the primary (P) waves and the secondary (S) waves at a seismograph station. The second step is to use a travel-time graph to determine the distance to the epicenter based on the time interval between the P and S waves. Finally, by using data from at least three seismograph stations, the exact location of the earthquake epicenter can be triangulated.


What are the similarities between P and S wave?

They are waves.


What happens between the p wave and the s wave if the distance gets longer?

since the p wave is faster it will be ahead of the s wave even though they start at the same place.