Final answer:
Earthquake epicenters east of the Rocky Mountains typically cluster in specific areas, and while intensity generally decreases with distance from the epicenter, constructive interference can increase damage at locations farther away. Seismographs are crucial tools in locating epicenters and monitoring for nuclear tests.
Step-by-step explanation:
The distribution of earthquake epicenters east of the Rocky Mountains is not random; they typically cluster in specific areas where there are faults or zones of weakness in the Earth's crust. Contrary to the perception that earthquake damage is always most severe at the epicenter, sometimes areas farther away can experience worse damage. This phenomenon can occur due to constructive interference, where seismic waves combine and amplify the wave amplitude at certain locations, potentially causing more destruction at these points compared to areas closer to the epicenter.
Seismographs help in measuring the arrival times of S- and P-waves with high precision, allowing scientists to determine the distance to an earthquake's epicenter. The precision of this measurement can be affected by the known speeds of these waves, and uncertainties in these speeds can introduce potential limits to the accuracy of epicenter location and detection of underground nuclear tests.
It's important to note that earthquake intensity decreases with distance due to the spreading out of energy; however, factors like constructive interference and local geological conditions can change the pattern of destruction.