Enter the distance to the epicenter and the P wave velocity into the calculator to determine the P wave travel time. This calculator helps in estimating the time it takes for P waves to travel from the earthquake focus to a specific location.
P Wave Travel Time Formula
The following formula is used to calculate the P wave travel time.
TT = D / V
Variables:
- TT is the P wave travel time (seconds)
- D is the distance to the epicenter (kilometers)
- V is the P wave velocity (kilometers per second)
To calculate the P wave travel time, divide the distance to the epicenter by the P wave velocity.
What is P Wave Travel Time?
P wave travel time is the duration it takes for primary waves (P waves), which are the fastest seismic waves generated by an earthquake, to travel from the earthquake’s focus to a specific point, usually a seismic station. P wave travel times are used to locate the epicenter of earthquakes and to understand the Earth’s internal structure.
How to Calculate P Wave Travel Time?
The following steps outline how to calculate the P Wave Travel Time.
- First, determine the distance to the epicenter (D) in kilometers.
- Next, determine the P wave velocity (V) in kilometers per second.
- Next, gather the formula from above = TT = D / V.
- Finally, calculate the P Wave Travel Time (TT) in seconds.
- After inserting the variables and calculating the result, check your answer with the calculator above.
Example Problem :
Use the following variables as an example problem to test your knowledge.
Distance to the epicenter (D) = 300 kilometers
P wave velocity (V) = 6 km/s
