8
QuizMultiple Choice

Earthquakes — Quiz

Question 8 • Earth and Space Science

Why are P and S wave arrival times used to estimate an earthquake's location?

Answer
A
The amplitude of S waves shows how strong the earthquake is.
B
The time difference between waves helps calculate the distance to the epicenter.
C
The order of arrival tells how deep the focus is.
D
The arrival time of P waves tells the direction of fault movement.

Explanation

P waves travel faster than S waves, so they arrive at a seismograph first. The time difference between their arrivals increases with distance from the earthquake, allowing scientists to estimate how far away the epicenter is. Choice B correctly describes this method.

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.

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