Final answer:
The statement that a seismogram is the printed record of seismic activity is True. Seismograms record the arrival times of seismic waves, allowing scientists to determine the distance to an earthquake's epicenter and monitor for nuclear detonations.
Step-by-step explanation:
True or False: A seismogram is indeed the printed record of seismic activity, so the statement is True. When an earthquake occurs, seismographs are utilized to measure the arrival times of the generated seismic waves with a high degree of precision. More specifically, they record the arrival times of S-waves (Secondary waves) and P-waves (Primary waves), which travel at different speeds. By analyzing the time difference between these waves' arrivals at a seismic station, scientists can calculate the distance to the earthquake's epicenter with some degree of accuracy.
The precision with which the distance to the earthquake can be determined depends on the measurement precision and the known propagation speeds of the S- and P-waves. If S-waves travel at 4.00 km/s and P-waves at 7.20 km/s, any uncertainty in these speeds directly affects the precision of the epicenter's location. In the context of monitoring for nuclear detonations, this precision is crucial for enforcing test ban treaties, indicating that even small uncertainties can have significant implications for detecting violations.