What are seismic waves?

1 Answer
Suryin =)
Nov 23, 2015

Earthquake waves

Explanation:

There are three main types of seismic waves according to its characteristic speed and manner of travel:

Primary waves or P waves #rarr# travel the fastest #rarr# travel through solids, liquids, and gases #rarr# push-pull waves #rarr# causes rock to move back and forth.

Secondary waves or S waves#rarr#travel slower than p waves #rarr# travel only through solids#rarr# causes rock to move side to side.

Surface waves or L waves#rarr# slowest seismic waves #rarr# travel from the focus directly upward to the epicenter#rarr# move along the earth's surface up and down #rarr# cause the most of the damage during earthquake because they bend and twist the earth's surface.

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