A seismic station recorded the arrival of a P-wave at 10:00:00 a.m. The S-wave arrival was recorded at 10:04:20 a.m. What is the approximate distance between the earthquake epicenter and the seismic station?

1 Answer
G_Ozdilek
Apr 18, 2017

2266 km

Explanation:

In the State of California velocity of P waves is 6.34 km/sec, and velocity of S waves is 3.67 km/sec for S waves. Since time relay between these waves is 4 minutes and 20 seconds (or 260 seconds), you can multiply time relay by 8.715 km/sec.

#8.715=(Vp*Vs)/(Vp-Vs)#.

Now it is your result: #8.715 (km)/s*260 seconds=2266 km#

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