Conceptual Physics (12th Edition)

Published by Addison-Wesley
ISBN 10: 0321909100
ISBN 13: 978-0-32190-910-7

Chapter 20 - Think and Explain - Page 389-390: 68

Answer

If a single disturbance (e.g., an earthquake) suddenly emits both transverse and longitudinal waves, and if these waves travel at 2 different known speeds, then a distant observer can measure the time difference between the 2 arrivals, and calculate the distance to the source. The longer the delay, the farther the distance. If several observers use this procedure to determine the distance to the disturbance from their own locations, the data may be combined to triangulate the source of the disturbance (in the case of an earthquake, the epicenter).
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