SEISMIC

WAVES
Objectives

Recall the types of Seismic Waves ( S10 –

1a-j – 36.4.1)

Characterized P, S and Surface wave

(S10-1a-j-36.4.2)
 There are two types of
earthquakes: tectonic and
volcanic earthquakes.

2 Types of Tectonic earthquakes are

produced by sudden
movement along faults and

Earthquakes plate boundaries. Earthquakes

induced by rising lava or
magma beneath active
volcanoes is called volcanic
earthquakes.
A wave movement
depends on its type….
Is wave related to earthquake?

• Earthquake waves are seismic waves that are created when

energy builds up in rocks and they fracture. Scientists estimate
there are several million earthquakes each year. Every
earthquake produces P waves and S waves but only larger
earthquakes produce Love waves and Rayleigh waves. These are
the four major types of seismic waves.
A Seismic Wave

Seismic waves are caused by

the sudden movement of
materials within the Earth,
such as slip along a fault
during an earthquake.
Volcanic eruptions,
explosions, landslides,
avalanches, and even rushing
rivers can also cause seismic
waves.
 Types of
Seismic waves
There are two broad classes of
seismic waves: body waves and
surface waves. Body waves travel
within the body of Earth. They
include P or primary waves and S or
secondary waves. P waves cause
the ground to compress and
expand, that is, to move back and
forth, in the direction of travel.
How they
moved?
P waves (Primary wave)

• P WAVES

• P waves are compression waves

Every earthquake creates P waves and S waves. P waves travel away from
the focus of an earthquake where the rocks first fractured by compressing
and expanding the rocks as they travel through solids, liquids and gases. P
waves travel through all parts of the Earth.
S wave (Secondary wave)

• S WAVES
• S waves are transverse waves
S waves travel in a motion similar to a rope held tight at one end
while the other end is lifted rapidly back and forth. S waves only
travel through solids and do not travel through the liquid outer
core of the Earth.
• LOVE WAVES

• Formation of surface waves

When P waves and S waves reach the Earth's surface they are transformed into
surface waves. Love waves and Rayleigh waves were discovered by two
Englishmen.
• Love waves are transverse waves
Love waves move back and forth in the direction they are traveling. Take a slinky
and lay it on a table and make waves that move through the slinky as you move it
back and forth. This is similar to the action of Love waves.
• RAYLEIGH WAVES

• Circular motion of Rayleigh waves

Rayleigh waves also move on the surface but are closer to how
waves in the ocean move. Their movement is circular in motion
as they move through the Earth but the circular motion is
retrograde meaning the waves circle backward as they move
forward.
• Difference between p waves and s waves
P waves S waves

P waves are the first wave to hit the

These arrive after P waves.
earth’s surface.

These waves travel in the speed range These waves are almost 1.7 times
of 1.5-13 km/s. slower than P waves.

These waves travel in a linear These waves travel in a transversal

direction. direction.

These waves can travel through solid, These waves travel through only
liquid, and gas. solids.

These waves can travel through solid, These waves travel through only
liquid, and gas. solids.
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC