Define Seismic Waves

In this article of define seismic waves we will learn what are seismic waves, their types.

When ever sudden breaking of a rock or explosion takes place inside the earth some energy is generated which travels in the form of waves and these waves are called as seismic waves. The propagation velocity of these waves purely depend up on the elasticity and density of the medium through which it penetrates.

The instrument which measures these waves is called seismograph. Now that we defined seismic waves we will learn about types of seismic waves.

I like to share this Example of a Longitudinal Wave with you all through my article.

Types of seismic waves in define seismic waves.


There are different types of seismic of which the most important are body waves and surface waves. body waves travel through the earth's inner layers where as surface waves travel on the surface of earth like ripples on water.


Body waves in define seismic waves:


These waves have high frequency than surface waves and arrive earlier in earth quakes. Body waves are further divided in to P-Waves and S-Waves.

P-waves :

This is the fastest of seismic waves and first to reach seismic station. They can move through solid rocks and liquids. They push and pull the rocks which it moves through same as sound waves push and pull air. These are also known as compressional waves, because of pushing and pulling they do. Some animals like dogs can hear P-Waves but humans cannot do this.

S-Waves :

These are second type of body waves which is the second wave we feel in earth quakes. They can only move through rocks but not liquids. They move the rock up and down or side to side perpendicular to direction which they are moving.

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Surface waves in define seismic waves:

Traveling on through the crust their frequency is very less than body waves so can be easily distinguished on seismography. But these waves cause more damage during earth quakes. These are further divided in to love waves and Rayleigh waves.

Love waves :

It is named after A.E.H. Love, a British mathematician. It moves ground side to side. it is the fastest surface wave.

Rayleigh waves :

It is named after John William Strutt , Lord Rayleigh, who predicted the existence of this wave.It rolls along the surface of earth same as wave rolls across a lake or an ocean. It moves ground side to side and up and down in the direction which they are moving.

This is all about define seismic waves. Hope you enjoyed it koooollllll....!!!!!