P Waves
What is the primary type of wave that travels through the Earth's interior?
p wave
What type of wave arrives second in an earthquake?
s waves
Which type of wave causes the most damage during an earthquake?
s waves
What are seismic zones?
describes an area with a particular level of hazard due to earthquakes.
How fast do P waves typically travel?
1-14 kps
How do particles move in the direction of an S wave?
S waves move rock particles up and down, or side-to-side, and are always perpendicular to the direction that the wave is traveling in (the direction of wave propagation).
How do the particles in a surface wave move?
In a surface wave, particles of the medium move up and down as well as back and forth in an overall circular motion
Name one famous seismic zone in the United States.
California
What is the full name of the abbreviation "P" in P waves?
primary
True or False: S waves can travel through liquids.
false
True or False: Surface waves only travel on the surface of the Earth.
true
How are seismic zones determined?
The maps are made by considering what we currently know about: Past faults and earthquakes.
How do particles move in the direction of a P wave?
P waves are also known as compressional waves, because they push and pull. Particles subjected to a P wave move in the same direction that the wave is moves in; it is the direction that the energy is traveling in, sometimes called the “direction of wave propagation.”
What type of material does an S wave not travel through?
Which surface wave has a rolling motion?
Rayleigh
True or False: Seismic zones are the same all around the world.
true
Can P waves travel through both solids and liquids?
yes
What is the full name of the abbreviation "S" in S waves?
secondary
What are the two types of surface waves?
Love waves and Rayleigh waves
What is the importance of studying seismic zones?
The study of seismic activity of a particular zone helps in establishing minimum standards of safety for that zone, making life more easy to continue post earthquake.