Seismic Wave

Seismic Wave

Seismic wave is simply energy transferred from one area to another within the earth’s interior.

Types of Seismic Wave

Body WavesSurface Waves

Body Waves

Body waves

Waves that can enter earth’s interior

Primary Wave or P-wave

Primary Waves (P-waves)

• Travel in all media – solid, liquid and gas.

• The P wave is also known as a compressional wave or a “push/pull” wave.

• The fastest wave (4-7km/sec)

Secondary Waves (S – waves)

Secondary Waves (S – waves)

The S wave or secondary wave can also be called a shake wave.

Slower than P waves.

Surface Waves

Travel on the surface of the earth.

Surface Waves

Body Waves

L - Waves

Rayleigh Waves

L - Waves

L - Waves

Travel on the surface

L – waves: move side to side in a horizontal plane

Rayleigh Waves

Rayleigh Waves

Rayleigh waves: Like rolling ocean waves, they move both vertically and horizontally in a vertical plane

Most destructive.

Generalization

Assignment

What is the difference between magnitude and intensity?