How to Convert Universal Time (UT) to Local Time

Since seismology is a worldwide science, it is necessary for all seismographs to be synchronized to the same time, rather than setting them each to the different local time zones used in different places around the globe. The accepted worldwide time standard, called Universal Time (UT or UTC), is the same as Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), which is taken from the local time in Greenwich, England. Universal time is given in hours, minutes, and seconds using a 24-hour day. All of Maine is in the Eastern Time Zone, following Standard time in the winter and Daylight time in the summer.

1. To convert Universal Time (UT or UTC) to Eastern Standard Time (EST), subtract five hours from UT.

Examples:	07:49:55 UT is the same as 02:49:55 EST, or 2:49:55 a.m. EST.
	19:22:16 UT is the same as 14:22:16 EST, or 2:22:16 p.m. EST.

2. To convert Universal Time to Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), subtract four hours from UT.

Examples:	11:36:59 UT is the same as 07:36:59 EDT, or 7:36:59 a.m. EDT.
	23:01:44 UT is the same as 19:01:44 EDT, or 7:01:44 p.m. EDT.

3. Notice that for times near midnight, Universal Time will be a day "ahead" of Maine, so the date must be corrected as well.

Examples:	January 8 at 02:15:00 UT is the same as January 7 at 21:15:00 EST, or January 7 at 9:15:00 p.m. EST.
	July 10 at 00:18:21 UT is the same as July 9 at 20:18:21 EDT, or July 9 at 8:18:21 p.m. EDT.

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Last updated on October 6, 2005