GEOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Of the two types of surface waves, the L-waves are the most destructive.

Detailed explanation-2: -Answer and Explanation: Love waves are the most destructive surface waves because they always cause horizontal movement perpendicular to the direction the wave is traveling away from the epicenter of the earthquake.

Detailed explanation-3: -Rayleigh waves cause both vertical and horizontal ground motion. These can be the most destructive waves as they roll along lifting and dropping the ground as they pass.

Detailed explanation-4: -Love waves have a particle motion, which, like the S-wave, is transverse to the direction of propagation but with no vertical motion. Their side-to-side motion (like a snake wriggling) causes the ground to twist from side to side, that’s why Love waves cause the most damage to structures.

Detailed explanation-5: -While both types of surface waves are dangerous, Love waves cause more damage than Rayleigh waves. This is due to the nature of the wave motion as it moves forward. Love waves are transverse waves, meaning they move perpendicular to the direction the wave travels, while only operating on a horizontal plane.