Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Region VII, Central Visayas
Division of Bohol
Grade 8 Science
2nd Quarter
L E A R N I N G A C T I V I T Y No. 6
Activity Title: Seismic Waves
Learning Explain how earthquake waves provide information about the interior of
Competency: the earth (S8ES-IIc-17)
Learning Target: Describe how the
http://www.sms-tsunami-warning.com/pages/seismic-
Reference:
waves#.WV7bWLgxF9k
http://www.preservearticles.com/2011111216966/what-are- the-three-
Suggested Link: types-of-earthquake-waves.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=uA_OLKfQpYA

The seismic waves created as they move from the epicentre an earthquake vary.
What is amazing is how fast they can travel: up to 2 miles per second in granite!

Seismic waves can be classified into two basic types: body waves which travel
through the Earth and surface waves, which travel along the Earth's surface. Those waves
that are the most destructive are the surface waves which generally have the strongest
vibration.

Body waves are of two types: compressional or primary (P) waves and shear or
secondary (S) waves. P- and S- waves are called "body waves" because they can travel
through the interior of a body such as the Earth's inner layers, from the focus of an
earthquake to distant points on the surface. The Earth’s molten core can only be travelled
through by compressional waves.

Surface waves, in contrast to body waves can only move along the surface. They
arrive after the main P and S waves and are confined to the outer layers of the Earth. They
cause the most surface destruction. Earthquake surface waves are divided into two
different categories: Love and Rayleigh.

Love waves have a particle motion, which, like the S-wave, is transverse to the
direction of propagation but with no vertical motion. Their side-to-side motion (like a snake
wriggling) causes the ground to twist from side to side, that’s why Love waves cause the
most damage to structures. Rayleigh waves create a rolling, up and down motion with an
elliptical and retrograde particle motion confined to the vertical plane in the direction of
propagation. Surface waves are generally not generated by deep earthquakes.

Exercises:
1. What is the difference between body waves and surface waves?
2. Which among the waves is the most destructive?