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)