SES4UT - Unit 5 Geologic Processes -

Activity 2 Seismic Waves

Answer the following as you work through the Seismic Waves Investigation.

1. Compare and contrast P wave, S wave, Love wave and Rayleigh wave using the following table or a
similar table. Welcome to add more comparison items, explanations or pictures.

Primary (P) wave Secondary (S) wave Love wave Rayleigh wave

Propagates near the P waves have the S waves are typically Love waves need Travel near the
surface? ability to travel limited to the interior a deeper layer to surface of solids
close to the of the Earth and do spread; they
surface as well as not spread near the cannot do so by
far inside the surface. themselves near
Earth. the surface.
When the solid
medium close to
the surface
possesses a
range of vertical
elastic qualities,
they propagate.

Propagates deep P waves have the S waves are typically Love waves Long wavelength
down? ability to travel limited to the interior produce entirely waves can travel
close to the of the Earth and do horizontal farther through
surface as well as not spread near the motion. the Earth than
far inside the surface. short wavelength
Earth. waves.

Propagates through They spread via They can spread Only the solid Travels along the
solid? gases, liquids, and through solids portions of the surface of solids
solids. Earth's surface
may carry love
waves; the liquid
portions cannot.

Propagates through They spread via They cannot spread Only the solid No
liquid and gas? gases, liquids, and through liquids or portions of the
solids. gases. Earth's surface
may carry love
waves; the liquid
portions cannot.

Direction of wave Parallel to the Perpendicular to the Horizontal Opposite to the

amplitude with direction of direction of wave direction direction of
respect to the propagation propagation. perpendicular to propagation
direction of the the direction
propagation (for that the waves
simplicity, assume it are travelling.
is → ).

Speed 6 km/s 7.2 km/s 4.5 km/s 3 km/s

2. Which waves above are more destructive than the others? Explain briefly.
Both vertical and horizontal ground motion are produced by Rayleigh waves. These waves can be the
most harmful because when they pass, they elevate and lower the land as they move along.
3. Why do some waves not propagate through liquid or gas?
They create horizontal shaking when they come to the surface. Since liquids have no shear strength, a
shear wave cannot travel through one. Because they can be absorbed, scattered, refracted, or damped
by the particles or characteristics of the medium, some waves cannot travel through liquids or gases.
The wave may not be able to move through the medium properly due to these interactions.
4. How did scientists figure out the interior of the earth using seismic waves? (hint: a picture is included)
How does this relate or contradict your concepts from plate tectonics?
Seismologists have used seismic waves to explore the innards of the Earth. Scientists can deduce
details about the Earth's strata by examining the behaviour of seismic waves produced by earthquakes
or explosions. The crust, mantle, outer core, and inner core are among the various layers of the Earth
that have been identified by seismic data. This information is consistent with the theory of plate
tectonics, which explains how enormous solid plates move across the surface of the Earth. Evidence for
plate boundaries, subduction zones, and the relationship between seismic activity and plate
movement has been supplied through seismic research.
5. Design a surface earthquake using the following template:
(a) Distance between the epicentre and my home, any number between 100 km and 1000 km.

(b) Direction of the epicentre from my home (e.g. northeast)

 (c) The earthquake takes place at this time (e.g. 3:45:12 pm)

(d) The magnitude of the earthquake is large enough so that you will be able to sense it.
Describe the seismic waves you will experience in chronological order.

First wave Second wave (if any) Third wave (if any) Fourth wave (if
any)

Time 3:45:15 pm 3:45:20 pm (5

seconds after first
earthquake)

Direction of From the northeast From the northeast

shaking towards south towards south

Severity of shaking Moderate Strong

(resulting
damage)

Direction from epicentre: 350 Km

Direction of epicentre from my home: Northeast
Time: 3:35:12 pm