High School

If the travel time of the S wave is 21 minutes and 50 seconds, what is the distance between the epicenter and the seismic station?

a) 7,500 km
b) 6,500 km
c) 8,000 km
d) 9,000 km

Answer :

If the travel time of the S wave is 21 minutes and 50 seconds, b) 6,500 km is the distance between the epicenter and the seismic station. the correct option is b) 6,500 km.

To determine the distance between the epicenter and the seismic station using the travel time of the S wave, we can utilize the S-wave travel time curve, which relates the travel time of the seismic waves to the distance from the epicenter.

Given that the travel time of the S wave is 21 minutes and 50 seconds, we refer to the S-wave travel time curve to find the corresponding distance. According to the curve, a travel time of approximately 21 minutes and 50 seconds corresponds to a distance of around 6,500 kilometers.

Therefore, the correct option is b) 6,500 km.

Understanding how to interpret seismic wave travel times is crucial in seismology for accurately determining the location and magnitude of earthquakes.