6.12: Seismic Waves

Are seismic waves like ocean waves?

Yes, in some ways. Ocean waves travel at the interface between the sea surface and the atmosphere. They have all the features that all waves have. Some seismic waves also travel at an interface. Which ones?

Seismic Waves

Seismic waves are the energy from earthquakes. Seismic waves move outward in all directions away from their source. Each type of seismic wave travels at different speeds in different materials. All seismic waves travel through rock, but not all travel through liquid or gas. Geologists study seismic waves to learn about earthquakes and the Earth’s interior.

Wave Structure

Seismic waves are just one type of wave. Sound and light also travel in waves. Every wave has a high point called a crest and a low point called a trough. The height of a wave from the center line to its crest is its amplitude. The horizontal distance between waves from crest to crest (or trough to trough) is its wavelength (Figure below).

The energy from earthquakes travels in waves, such as the one shown in this diagram.

Types of Seismic Waves

There are two major types of seismic waves. Body waves travel through the Earth’s interior. Surface waves travel along the ground surface. In an earthquake, body waves are responsible for the sharp jolts. Surface waves are responsible for the rolling motions that do most of the damage in an earthquake.

Body Waves

Primary waves (P-waves) and secondary waves (S-waves) are the two types of body waves (Figure below). Body waves move at different speeds through different materials.

P-waves are faster. They travel at about 6 to 7 kilometers (about 4 miles) per second. Primary waves are so named because they are the first waves to reach a seismometer. P-waves squeeze and release rocks as they travel. The material returns to its original size and shape after the P-wave goes by. For this reason, P-waves are not the most damaging earthquake waves. P-waves travel through solids, liquids, and gases.

S-waves are slower than P-waves. They are the second waves to reach a seismometer. S-waves move up and down. They change the rock’s shape as they travel. S-waves are about half as fast as P-waves, at about 3.5 km (2 miles) per second. S-waves can move only through solids. This is because liquids and gases don’t resist changing shape.

P-waves and S-waves are the two types of body waves.

Surface Waves

Love waves and Rayleigh waves are the two types of surface waves.

Surface waves travel along the ground outward from an earthquake’s epicenter. Surface waves are the slowest of all seismic waves. They travel at 2.5 km (1.5 miles) per second. There are two types of surface waves. Love waves move side-to-side, much like a snake. Rayleigh waves produce a rolling motion as they move up and backward (Figure above). Surface waves cause objects to fall and rise. They also cause objects to sway back and forth. These motions cause damage to rigid structures during an earthquake.

Summary

• Body waves travel through the body of a planet. Surface waves travel along the surface.
• There are two types of body waves: P-waves travel fastest and through solids, liquids, and gases; S-waves only travel through solids.
• Surface waves are the slowest, but they do the most damage in an earthquake.

Review

1. Draw a set of waves and label the parts: crest, trough, amplitude, wavelength.
2. Compare and contrast P-waves and S-waves.
3. Describe the motions of surface waves.

Explore More

Use the resource below to answer the questions that follow.

1. What are body waves?
2. Which waves move the fastest?
3. What are the S-waves? Describe them.
4. What happens to body waves as they move through the Earth?
5. What are the two types of surface waves?
6. Describe how surface waves travel.