GEOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -P-waves are the first waves to arrive on a complete record of ground shaking because they travel the fastest (their name derives from this fact-P is an abbreviation for primary, first wave to arrive).

Detailed explanation-2: -The first kind of body wave is the P wave or primary wave. It’s the fastest kind of seismic wave, and the first to arrive at a seismic station. P waves can move through solid rock and fluids, like water or the liquid layers of the Earth.

Detailed explanation-3: -In the Earth, P waves travel at speeds from about 6 km (3.7 miles) per second in surface rock to about 10.4 km (6.5 miles) per second near the Earth’s core some 2, 900 km (1, 800 miles) below the surface. As the waves enter the core, the velocity drops to about 8 km (5 miles) per second.

Detailed explanation-4: -Primary waves In air, they take the form of sound waves, hence they travel at the speed of sound. Typical speeds are 330 m/s in air, 1450 m/s in water and about 5000 m/s in granite.

Detailed explanation-5: -There are two types of body waves: P-waves travel fastest and through solids, liquids, and gases; S-waves only travel through solids. Surface waves are the slowest, but they do the most damage in an earthquake.