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how many seismographs are needed to locate the epicenter of an earthquake

by Prof. Eldridge Mohr Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

three seismograph tracings

How do you find the epicenter of an earthquake using seismographs?

To find an earthquake epicenter you need at least three seismographs. Find the distance from each seismograph to the earthquake epicenter. The interception of the three circles is the epicenter. Click to see full answer.

How far away is the epicenter on the map?

Figure out how long the distance to the epicenter (in centimeters) is on your map. For example, say your map has a scale where one centimeter is equal to 100 kilometers. If the epicenter of the earthquake is 215 kilometers away, that equals 2.15 centimeters on the map.

How do you estimate the distance from the stations to the earthquake?

Distances from the stations to the earthquake are estimated from the difference between P and S wave arrival times: Illustrative example seismograms from IRIS. Use the time difference between the arrival of the P and S waves to estimate the distance from the earthquake to the station.

How do I find the location of my seismograph?

Using your compass, draw a circle with a radius equal to the number you came up with in Step #2 (the radius is the distance from the center of a circle to its edge). The center of the circle will be the location of your seismograph.

Why are 3 seismographs needed to locate an epicenter?

Each seismograph records the times when the first (P waves) and second (S waves) seismic waves arrive. From that information, scientists can determine how fast the waves are traveling. Knowing this helps them calculate the distance from the epicenter to each seismograph.Apr 15, 2016

How many readings do you need to locate the epicenter of an earthquake?

At least 3 earthquake recording stations are required to find the location of the earthquake epicenter. A single recording station can only calculate distance, but not direction; to cover all possibilities, a complete circle is drawn around that station.

How do we locate the epicenter of an earthquake?

Steps to Locating the Epicenter of an EarthquakeMeasure the time that elapses between the arrival of the P (primary) wave and the arrival of the S (secondary) wave to the seismic stations.Using the S-P time, determine the epicentral distance of each station to the earthquake using a travel time curve.More items...

How many seismograph stations are needed to locate the epicenter of an earthquake Brainly?

To find an earthquake epicenter you need at least three seismographs. Find the distance from each seismograph to the earthquake epicenter. The interception of the three circles is the epicenter.Apr 3, 2018

How do you calculate SP interval?

Procedure for Finding the Epicenter Read the P wave time of arrival from the X-axis. Similarly, locate the time of arrival for the S wave. Subtract the P time from the S time to find the S-P interval.

How do you find the epicenter of an earthquake with triangulation worksheet?

Place the point of the compass on the station (marked by a triangle on the map). Draw a circle around the station, the circle has a radius equal to the distance to the event. (The radius is the distance from the center of a circle to its edge). The epicenter of the earthquake is somewhere on the edge of that circle.

What is faulting in earthquake?

A fault is a fracture or zone of fractures between two blocks of rock. Faults allow the blocks to move relative to each other. This movement may occur rapidly, in the form of an earthquake - or may occur slowly, in the form of creep.

How to find the epicenter of an earthquake?

To locate the epicenter of an earthquake, scientists must have seismograms from at least three seismic stations. The procedure for locating an epicenter has three steps: Scientists find the difference between the arrival times of the primary and the secondary waves at each of the three stations. Click to see full answer.

Where are the three seismographs located?

Explanation: As shown in the figure three seismographs are located (situated) in the Minneapolis, Detroit and Charleston with the help of these three seismographs find the epicenter of the earthquake.

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