This document describes different types of seismic waves including P waves, S waves, Love waves, and Rayleigh waves. P waves are the fastest and can pass through solids, liquids, and gases. S waves are slower and can only pass through solids. Love waves produce horizontal motion while Rayleigh waves move the ground up and down and side to side in the direction of travel. Diagrams are included to illustrate these different wave types.

14. Body Waves
Surface Waves
Primary Waves
Secondary Waves
Love Waves
Rayleigh Waves
•P waves
•Fastest wave
•Passes through
liquid, solid and gas
•Moves tiny rock
particles back and
forth in line with the
direction the wave is
traveling
•S waves or shear
waves
•Slower than P
waves
•Can only pass
through solid
•Displaces rock
particles outwards,
pushing them
perpendicular to the
path of the waves
•Fastest surface
waves
•Moves the ground
from side-to-side
•Produces entirely
horizontal motion
•Rolls along the
ground
•Moves the ground
up and down, and
side-to-side in the
same direction that
the wave is moving
•Most of the shaking
felt from an
earthquake is due to
the Rayleigh wave

17. Diagram 1. In the example P-wave is at 0 minutes and
S-wave is at 5 minutes

19. Diagram 2

20. Diagram 3

21. Diagram 4. Based on the example the epicenter
distance is 3,400 km.