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Types of Earthquake Waves

The document discusses the types of earthquake waves, specifically body waves (P-waves and S-waves) and surface waves. P-waves are the fastest and least destructive, while S-waves are slower and more destructive, only traveling through solids. Surface waves are the slowest and cause the most noticeable shaking, with shadow zones providing insights into the Earth's internal structure based on the behavior of these waves.

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shiva31122005
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8 views1 page

Types of Earthquake Waves

The document discusses the types of earthquake waves, specifically body waves (P-waves and S-waves) and surface waves. P-waves are the fastest and least destructive, while S-waves are slower and more destructive, only traveling through solids. Surface waves are the slowest and cause the most noticeable shaking, with shadow zones providing insights into the Earth's internal structure based on the behavior of these waves.

Uploaded by

shiva31122005
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Types of Earthquake

Waves

Body Waves

Body waves are seismic waves that travel


through the Earth's interior. They are classified
into two main types: P-waves and S-waves.
Overview of Body Waves
These waves are crucial for understanding the
Earth's structure and the mechanics of
earthquakes.

P-waves are the fastest type of body waves,


traveling through solids, liquids, and gases.
P-Waves (Primary Waves)
They move in a longitudinal direction, mean-
the
ing particle movement is parallel to the wave
propagation.

P-waves are similar to sound waves and have


high frequencies.

Their velocity ranges from 5-7 km per second to


Characteristics of P-Waves 11-13 km per second, depending on the medi-
um.
They are the least destructive type of seismic
wave and are the first to be recorded on
seismographs.

S-waves are slower than P-waves and can only


move through solids, arriving at the surface
a time lag.
with
S-Waves (Secondary Waves)
They move in a transversal direction, causing
particle movement perpendicular to the
propagation.
wave

S-waves are analogous to water ripples or light


waves, causing vertical movement of particles.

They travel at varying velocities, proportional to


Characteristics of S-Waves the shear strength of the material they pass
through.

S-waves are more destructive than P-waves due


to their high frequency.

Surface Waves

Surface waves are the slowest type of


earthquake wave, traveling along the Earth-
surface
's and causing the most noticeable
shaking during an earthquake.
Overview of Surface Waves

They are responsible for the rolling and sway-


motion
ing felt during seismic events.

There are two main types of surface waves:


Rayleigh waves and Love waves.

Types of Surface Waves


Rayleigh waves cause the ground to move in an
elliptical, rolling motion, while Love waves cause
side-to-side movement, perpendicular to the
wave's direction.

Surface waves typically have lower frequencies


compared to body waves, leading to prolonged
shaking.
Characteristics of Surface Waves
They are often responsible for the most damage
during an earthquake due to their amplitude
duration.
and

Emergence of Shadow Zones

Shadow zones are specific areas where seismic


waves are not recorded by seismographs,
despite being generated by an earthquake.
Understanding Shadow…
The existence of shadow zones provides critical
information about the Earth's internal struc-
ture.
Seismographs located within 105° from the
epicenter record both P-waves and S-waves.
P-Wave Shadow Zone
Beyond 145°, seismographs record P-waves
not
but S-waves, creating a shadow zone for S-
waves.

The shadow zone for S-waves is larger than that


for P-waves, covering over 40 percent of the
Earth's surface.
S-Wave Shadow Zone
This phenomenon occurs because S-waves
cannot travel through liquid, leading to
absence
their in certain areas.

The study of shadow zones helps seismologists


understand the composition and behavior of
Earth's
the interior.

Implications of Shadow Zones


The varying sizes of shadow zones for P-waves
and S-waves indicate differences in the
materials they traverse, providing insights into
the Earth's layers.

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