![]() This enables them to calculate the distance the earthquake is from the seismograph.įirst slide details. Then they compare the difference in arrival times of the S waves. To locate the epicenter of an earthquake, we need to look at seismograms from three different recording stations.Įxperts compare the difference in arrival times of the P waves at the different stations. The resulting pattern, or seismogram, reveals to experts: Modern versions are all computerized and instantly record activity at the seismic station. Older versions are anchored to the ground and have a pen attached to them, so when the Earth moves during a quake the device moves and the pen makes zigzag tracings on paper. However, today seismologists more commonly rely on what is. The most familiar of these is the Richter scale - related to the size of seismic waves produced during a quake. Several scales of measurement have been developed. The waves are measured on sensitive instruments called seismographs. The magnitude (size) of an earthquake is based on the measurement of the maximum motion recorded by a seismograph. Seismologists compare the arrival times of P waves and S waves at seismic stations to determine a quake's location. Surface waves follow at the slowest speed, causing intensive damage as they move along the Earth's surface. Magnitude describes the overall size of an earthquake as an event in the earth. Secondary waves (S waves) move slower than P waves and vibrate at right angles to the direction of wave travel. ![]() Primary waves (P waves) travel at the fastest speeds and spread through the crust from the hypocenter, alternately squeezing and stretching the rock as they travel through it. S a shopping search hub for retailers, businesses or smart consumers. When the quake begins, seismic waves travel rapidly outward in all directions. Richter scale - definition of Richter scale by The Free. The epicenter is the point on the surface directly above the hypocenter. The hypocenter (or focus), the place where the movement first occurred on the fault, can be hundreds of kilometers below the Earth's surface or just beneath it. We will discuss the formation of the Earth and how it moves in more detail in the next module. As far as we know, it is the only planet in the solar system suitable for life due to the presence of liquid water on the surface. Magnitude is determined using the logarithm of the amplitude (height) of the largest seismic wave calibrated to a scale by a seismograph. Sorry, your browser doesn't support embedded videos. Earth is the third planet from the Sun and our home planet. ![]()
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