Question

If a p-wave arrives at 2:10:00 and the s-wave arrives at 2:15:20, how many kilometers from the epicenter is a location?

Answer 1

Answer:

2.67 x 10⁷km

Explanation:

Given parameters:

    Time of arrival of p-waves  = 2: 10: 00

    Time of arrival of s-waves = 2: 15: 20

Unknown:

Distance of wave from epicenter  = ?

Solution:

 To find the distance of the wave from the epicenter;

     Distance = 3 x 10⁸ x time interval

Time interval = Time of arrival of p-waves  - Time of arrival of s-waves

                       =  2: 10: 00 - 2: 15: 20

                       = 5min 20s

                       = 320s

Now, we need to convert the time to hrs;

        3600s  = 1hr

         320s  = $\frac{320}{3600}$  = $\frac{4}{45}$hr

So,

   Distance =  3 x 10⁸  x $\frac{4}{45}$   = 2.67 x 10⁷km