S and P waves from an earthquake travel at different speeds, and this difference

Question

S and P waves from an earthquake travel at different speeds, and this difference helps in the determination of the earthquake "epicenter" (where the disturbance took place).
(a) Assuming typical speeds of 8.0 km/s and 5.7 km/s for P and S waves, respectively, how far away did the earthquake occur if a particular seismic station detects the arrival of these two types of waves 3.0 min apart?
km
(b) Is one seismic station sufficient to determine the position of the epicenter?
No
Yes

Explain.

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Explanation / Answer

the distance from seismometer to epicenter is ts-tp=((1/vs)-(1/vp))d, so 60s=(1/5.4-1/8.8)s/km times d...or d=838.6km....qed as i remember from my geology text, it need three seismic stations to determine the position of the epicenter. the reason might be that it takes three circles to determine a point on a sphere which is the earth. Source(s): seismic design of building structures, 8th edit by Lindeburg and Baradar geology by davis, reitan, pestrong

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