Why is the distance from three seismograph stations needed to determine the epicenter?

During an earthquake, seismic waves are sent all over the globe. Though they may weaken with distance, seismographs are sensitive enough to still detect these waves. In order to determine the location of an earthquake epicenter, seismographs from at least three different places are needed for a particular event.

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

The S – P time interval will then be used to determine the distance the waves have traveled from the origin to that station. The actual location of the earthquake’s epicenter will be on the perimeter of a circle drawn around the recording station.

What is needed to determine the distance of the epicenter from a seismic station?

Finding the Distance to the Epicenter

Use the time difference between the arrival of the P and S waves to estimate the distance from the earthquake to the station. (From Bolt, 1978.) Measure the distance between the first P wave and the first S wave. In this case, the first P and S waves are 24 seconds apart.

Which part of the seismograph is used to find the distance to the epicenter of the earthquake?

One seismogram indicates the distance to the epicenter. This is determined by the P-and S-wave arrival times. If a quake is near the seismograph, the S-waves arrive shortly after the P-waves. If a quake is far from the seismograph, the P-waves arrive long before the S-waves.

What is the importance of determining the location of the earthquake epicenter?

The main importance in determining the epicentre is so that the fault that ruptured causing the earthquake can be identified. … If the fault is previously unknown (such as the 2010 Canterbury earthquake), then it is important because it means that the hazard models for the area need improvement.

What is the importance of determining the difference in the arrival time of P wave and S wave on three seismic recording stations?

Difference in arrival times between P and S waves can be used to determine the distance between the station and an earthquake. By knowing how far away the quake was from three stations we can draw a circle around each station with a radius equal to its distance from the earthquake.

What does a seismograph record?

Seismographs are instruments used to record the motion of the ground during an earthquake. They are installed in the ground throughout the world and operated as part of a seismographic network.

Which part of the seismogram is used to find the distance?

Answer: The distance between the beginning of the first P wave and the first S wave tells you how many seconds the waves are apart. This number will be used to tell you how far your seismograph is from the epicenter of the earthquake.

How do you read seismograph data?

The seismogram is “read” like a book, from left to right and top to bottom (this is the direction that time increases). As with a book, the right end of any horizontal line “connects” with the left end of the line below it. Each line represents 15 minutes of data; four lines per hour.

Why was the seismograph invented?

The first seismograph was invented by Zhang Heng, the court astronomer, at about 132 B.C. The seismograph was used to tell if there was an earthquake in China. With the slightest shake of an earthquake, a pendulum inside the jar would fall into a slot.

How does a seismograph record seismic waves?

Generally, a seismograph consists of a mass attached to a fixed base. During an earthquake, the base moves and the mass does not. The motion of the base with respect to the mass is commonly transformed into an electrical voltage. The electrical voltage is recorded on paper, magnetic tape, or another recording medium.

What is seismograph and seismogram?

The terms seismograph and seismometer are often used interchangeably; however, whereas both devices may detect and measure seismic waves, only a seismograph possesses the capacity to record the phenomena. A record produced by a seismograph on a display screen or paper printout is called a seismogram.

How did the seismograph work?

How was the seismograph discovered?

In the modern world, John Milne invented the first seismograph in 1880. This seismograph detected earthquakes through a long pendulum that was attached to a stylus. When the earth shook, the stylus then wrote on a carbon-coated paper. This produced a pattern that detected the direction and intensity of the quake.

Why is a seismograph important?

A seismometer, or seismograph, is a device that geologists use to measure and record seismic waves. By studying these recordings, scientists can map the earth’s interior, and they can measure or locate earthquakes and other ground motions.

What does a seismograph used to record the drums vibrations?

Describe how a seismograph works. Seismic waves cause a simple seismograms drum to vibrate, which in turn causes the pen to record the drums vibrations.

How does a seismograph work video?

Why is seismograph considered an important tool in studying earthquakes?

A modern seismograph can help scientists detect earthquakes and measure several aspects of the event: The time at which the earthquake occurred. The epicenter, which is the location on the surface of the earth below which the earthquake occurred. The depth below the earth’s surface at which the earthquake occurred.

What is the distance of the epicenter from a certain recording station if the difference in arrival time of P and S waves is 1 minute in 10 seconds?

Therefore, if the time separation between the arrival time of the P- and S-waves is 5 minutes:40 seconds, the epicenter must be 4000 km away.

How does seismograph measure the magnitude of earthquake?

The Richter magnitude of an earthquake is determined from the logarithm of the amplitude of waves recorded by seismographs. Adjustments are included for the variation in the distance between the various seismographs and the epicenter of the earthquakes.

What is a seismograph quizlet?

A seismograph is an instrument that records and measures the details of an earthquake. How does a seismograph record seismic waves? A seismograph records data using a seismogram.

What is the distance of the epicenter from a certain recording station if?

Answer: if the time separation between the arrival time of the P- and S-waves is 5 minutes:40 seconds, the epicenter must be 4000 km away.