Assuming typical speeds of 8.8 km/s and 5.4 km/s for P and S waves, respectively, how far away did an earthquake occur if a particular seismic station detects the arrival of these two types of waves 1.0 min apart?
1 Answer
Nov 4, 2016
838.6 km, nearly.
Explanation:
(If P-wave had taken t' and S-wave had taken T' to reach the station,
The distance travelled = 8.8 t km = 5.4 T km.
T-t = 60 s. Solving for T,
T = 155.3 s nearly.
And so, the distance of the epicenter from the station is
5.4
