GEOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -They are typically generated when the source of the earthquake is close to the Earth’s surface. Although surface waves travel more slowly than S-waves, they can be much larger in amplitude and can be the most destructive type of seismic wave.

Detailed explanation-2: -The PP (one bounce) and PPP (two bounces) waves travel more slowly than the direct P because they pass through shallower, lower velocity rocks. The different S waves arrive after the P waves. The slowest (and latest to arrive on seismograms) are surface waves, such as the L wave.

Detailed explanation-3: -They are called surface waves, as they diminish as they get farther from the surface. They travel more slowly than seismic body waves (P and S).

Detailed explanation-4: -Surface waves are the slowest, but they do the most damage in an earthquake.

Detailed explanation-5: -Thus, if we look at a seismogram, we expect to see the first wave to arrive to be a P-wave (the fastest), then the S-wave, and finally, the Love and Rayleigh (the slowest) waves.