SEISMIC WAVES

TYPES OF SEISMIC WAVES

• The first type of a seismic waves are called body waves.
• The second type of seismic waves are called Surface waves.

Body Waves

Body waves can be divided into two main groups called S and P waves, also called primary waves or compression waves, are the fastest waves and are always the first of an earthquake .
S waves, also called secondary waves or shear waves are the second-fastest waves.

Surface Waves

Surface waves form from motion along a shallow fault or from the conservation of energy when P and S waves reach Earth's Surface. They may cause the greatest damage in an earthquake. The two types of surface waves are Love waves and Rayleigh waves. Love waves cause rock to move side-to-side. Rayleigh waves cause the ground to move with an elliptical, rolling motion.

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