What are the three types of seismic waves and describe them?
There are two major categories of seismic waves – body waves, of which there are two different types (P and S waves), and surface waves, which also consist of two different types (Love and Rayleigh waves). Body waves travel through the earths mantle and crust. The P or primary waves are the fastest of all the wave types and produce longitudinal movement (in the same direction of the wave propagation). S or secondary waves also move through the body of the earth but are slightly slower than P waves and produce perpendicular wave motion. S waves, unlike P waves, can not travel through liquid. The difference in the arrival time of P and S waves at different seismic sensors allow seismologists to use triangulation to locate the epicenter of an earthquake. Both Love and Rayleigh waves travel along the earth’s surface as opposed to through it. Love waves are faster than Rayleigh waves and move the ground from side to side whereas Rayleigh waves move the ground up and down.
