An earthquake produces longitudinal P waves that travel outward at 8000 m/s and transverse S waves that move at 4500 m/s. A seismograph at some distance from the earthquake records the arrival of the s waves 2.0 min after the arrival of the P waves. How far away was the earth quake? You can assume that the waves travel in straight lines, although actual seismic waves follow more complex routes.

Urraiyg

Urraiyg

Answered question

2022-09-20

An earthquake produces longitudinal P waves that travel outward at 8000 m/s and transverse S waves that move at 4500 m/s. A seismograph at some distance from the earthquake records the arrival of the s waves 2.0 min after the arrival of the P waves. How far away was the earth quake?
You can assume that the waves travel in straight lines, although actual seismic waves follow more complex routes.

Answer & Explanation

Dillon Levy

Dillon Levy

Beginner2022-09-21Added 12 answers

For the P and S waves, the difference in arrival times is calculated as:
t = t s t P = d v s d v P 120 s = d ( 1 4500 m / s 1 8000 m / s ) d = 1.23 × 10 6 m = 1230 k m 1200 k m
Result:
1200 km

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