GEOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Explain to students that earthquake energy travels in the form of waves. These waves are called seismic or earthquake waves. There are different kinds of earthquake waves: body waves and surface waves. Body waves pass through the interior of the Earth whereas surface waves travel along the Earth’s surface.

Detailed explanation-2: -Table 1 Properties of P-waves and S-waves P-waves pass through both mantle and core, but are slowed and refracted at the mantle / core boundary at a depth of 2900 km. S-waves passing from the mantle to the core are absorbed because shear waves cannot be transmitted through liquids.

Detailed explanation-3: -Both P and S waves travel outward from an earthquake focus inside the earth. The waves are often seen as separate arrivals recorded on seismographs at large distances from the earthquake. The direct P wave arrives first because its path is through the higher speed, dense rocks deeper in the earth.

Detailed explanation-4: -S waves can only travel through solids, and scientists have successfully mapped the earth’s interior by studying the routes of these waves. P waves or Primary waves are the first waves to hit the seismographs when an earthquake strikes.