What are seismic waves?

Based on their characteristic speed and mode of propagation, seismic waves can be classified into three main types:

Rock moves in a push-pull fashion due to primary waves, also known as P waves, which travel through solids, liquids, and gases at the fastest possible speed.

Rocks move side to side due to secondary waves, also known as S waves, which travel more slowly than p waves and only pass through solids.

The majority of the damage caused by earthquakes is caused by surface waves, also known as L waves, which are the slowest seismic waves and move along the earth's surface up and down as they travel from the focus directly upward to the epicenter.

Seismic waves are waves of energy that travel through the Earth's layers, particularly during an earthquake or other seismic events. They are generated by the sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust. Seismic waves include P-waves (primary waves), S-waves (secondary waves), and surface waves. P-waves are compressional waves that travel fastest through solid and liquid materials. S-waves are shear waves that travel slower than P-waves and only move through solid materials. Surface waves travel along the Earth's surface and are responsible for the most damage during an earthquake.