What are the properties of P-waves, S-waves and surface waves? Is it possible to
ID: 292447 • Letter: W
Question
What are the properties of P-waves, S-waves and surface waves?
Is it possible to predict earthquakes? Why? Why not?
What do you need to calculate the velocity of seismic waves?
Definition of earthquake layers based on (1) seismology and (2) physical properties of rocks
How do tall and short buildings response to earthquakes?
What is asthenosphere?
What causes the jump in the P-wave velocity at 410 kilometers below the surface?
What causes melting in the asthenosphere?
What is hypocenter or focus?
What is epicenter?
How many scales are there in the Modified Mercalli Scale?
We calculated the P-wave velocity under Ohio using data from an earthquake in Canada. What was the P-wave velocity?
What is geothermal gradient?
What is tsunami? And what controls the height of tsunami waves?
Explanation / Answer
S Wave:
2. Yes, it is possible. because seismogram indicates the distance to the epicenter. This is determined by the P-and S-wave arrival times. If a quake is near the seismograph, the S-waves arrive shortly after the P-waves. If a quake is far from the seismograph, the P-waves arrive long before the S-waves. The longer the time is between the P-and S-wave arrivals, the further away the earthquake was from the seismograph. First, seismologists calculate the arrival time difference. Then they know the distance to the epicenter from that seismograph. Next, the seismologists try to determine the location of the earthquake epicenter.
3. To identifying the epicenter and distnce of epicenter we need to calculate the velocity of seismic waves.
4. When an earthquake occurs the seismic waves (P and S waves) spread out in all directions through the Earth's interior which may cause earthquake.
Seismic velocities depend on the material properties such as composition, mineral phase and packing structure, temperature, and pressure of the media through which seismic waves pass. Seismic waves travel more quickly through denser materials and therefore generally travel more quickly with depth. Anomalously hot areas slow down seismic waves. Seismic waves move more slowly through a liquid than a solid. Molten areas within the Earth slow down P waves and stop S waves because their shearing motion cannot be transmitted through a liquid. Partially molten areas may slow down the P waves and attenuate or weaken S waves.
When seismic waves pass between geologic layers with contrasting seismic velocities (when any wave passes through media with distinctly differing velocities) reflections, refraction (bending), and the production of new wave phases (e.g., an S wave produced from a P wave) often result. Sudden jumps in seismic velocities across a boundary are known as seismic discontinuities.
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