EARTH SCIENCE
EARTHQUAKES
Question
[CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
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P-Waves
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S-Waves
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Surface Waves
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None of the above
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Detailed explanation-1: -P waves are the first waves that are detected by a seismograph. They are the fastest seismic waves and can travel through gases, liquids, or solids.
Detailed explanation-2: -In a P wave, the rock particles are alternately squished together and pulled apart (called compressions and dilatations), so P waves are also called compressional waves. These waves can travel through solids, liquids, and gases. P waves can travel through the liquid outer core.
Detailed explanation-3: -P waves can travel through liquid and solids and gases, while S waves only travel through solids. Scientists use this information to help them determine the structure of Earth. For example, if an earthquake occurs on one side of Earth, seismometers around the globe can measure the resulting S and P waves. SF Fig.
Detailed explanation-4: -Generally, p-wave velocity increases with depth and increases with increasing rigidity of a material. Therefore p-waves travel fastest through the solid, iron inner core of Earth.
Detailed explanation-5: -P Waves. P waves are compressional waves that do not produce much damage. They can move through any type of material and travel at almost twice the speed of S waves. High frequency P waves do not weaken, or “attenuate, ” as rapidly as S waves so they retain higher frequencies when they arrive at seismic stations.