Regents Epicenter practice

Front

What is the definition of the epicenter of an earthquake?

Back

The epicenter is the point on the Earth's surface directly above the focus of an earthquake, where seismic waves are first felt.

Front

What are P-waves?

Back

P-waves, or primary waves, are the fastest seismic waves that travel through the Earth, compressing and expanding the material they move through.

Front

What are S-waves?

Back

S-waves, or secondary waves, are seismic waves that follow P-waves and move the ground up and down or side to side; they are slower than P-waves and cannot travel through liquids.

Front

How do you determine the origin time of an earthquake from P-wave arrival time?

Back

To find the origin time, subtract the time it takes for the P-wave to travel from the epicenter to the seismic station from the P-wave arrival time.

Front

If a P-wave arrives at a station in 50 seconds, how long does it take for the S-wave to arrive?

Back

It takes approximately 1 minute and 40 seconds for the S-wave to arrive after the P-wave.

Front

What is the relationship between the distance of a seismic station from the epicenter and the arrival times of P-waves and S-waves?

Back

The farther the seismic station is from the epicenter, the longer it takes for both P-waves and S-waves to arrive, with S-waves arriving after P-waves.

Front

How can you estimate the distance to an earthquake's epicenter using seismic data?

Back

By comparing the arrival times of P-waves and S-waves at a seismic station, you can use a travel-time graph to estimate the distance to the epicenter.

Front

What is the significance of seismic stations in earthquake monitoring?

Back

Seismic stations are crucial for detecting and recording seismic waves, helping scientists locate earthquakes and assess their magnitude.

Front

What is the purpose of the Earth Science Reference Tables in earthquake studies?

Back

The Earth Science Reference Tables provide essential data and graphs that help in analyzing seismic wave travel times and distances.

Front

What factors influence the speed of seismic waves?

Back

The speed of seismic waves is influenced by the type of material they travel through, temperature, and pressure conditions within the Earth.