Seismic WavesSeismic Waves
By:By:
What is a Seismic Wave? What is a Seismic Wave?
Waves that originate from collision of 2 Waves that originate from collision of 2 tectonic platestectonic plates
Measured by a seismographMeasured by a seismograph
The types of waves The types of waves
Three types of waves Three types of waves
P waves P waves
S waves S waves
L waves L waves
P wavesP waves
P stands for primary P stands for primary
Classified as a body wave Classified as a body wave
P waves are the first waves to occur P waves are the first waves to occur
Originate from epicenter( the center of Originate from epicenter( the center of shock) shock)
Faster than S waves Faster than S waves
Can pass through solids, liquids, and Can pass through solids, liquids, and gases gases
P waves P waves
Longitudinal waves Longitudinal waves
Ground crumbles when P waves hit Ground crumbles when P waves hit surface surface
Travel 6.0 km/s or 3.7 mi/s Travel 6.0 km/s or 3.7 mi/s
S wavesS waves
S stands for secondary S stands for secondary
Comes second after P wavesComes second after P waves
Classified as a body wave Classified as a body wave
Transverse wavesTransverse waves
Originate from epicenter (center of shock) Originate from epicenter (center of shock)
Can only pass through solidsCan only pass through solids
L waves L waves
Also called love waves Also called love waves
Named after scientist Named after scientist A.E.H. LoveA.E.H. Love
Classified as surface waves Classified as surface waves
Travel along Earth’s surface Travel along Earth’s surface
Most destructive wave Most destructive wave
Slowest of all waves Slowest of all waves
Originate from hypocenter Originate from hypocenter
CreditsCredits
Houghton Mifflin California Science (our Houghton Mifflin California Science (our science textbook) science textbook)
Aaron’s research report “Earthquakes, Aaron’s research report “Earthquakes, How and why they Occur” (see Aaron for How and why they Occur” (see Aaron for details)details)