P6: SEISMIC WAVES

Question 1

What are the 2 types of seismic waves?

Answer 1

-S-waves
-P-waves

Question 2

S-waves:
-longitudinal/transverse?
-faster/slower relative speed?
-can they travel through solids/liquids/both?

Answer 2

-transverse waves
-slower relative speed
-can only travel through solids

Question 3

P-waves:
-longitudinal/transverse?
-faster/slower relative speed?
-can they travel through solids/liquids/both?

Answer 3

-longitudinal waves
-faster relative speed
-can travel through solids and liquids

Question 4

What do S-waves suggest about the structure of the earth? How?

Answer 4

-S-waves are not detected on the opposite side of the earth
-suggests that mantle had solid properties but outer core must be liquid

Question 5

What do P-waves suggest about the structure of the earth? How?

Answer 5

-P-waves are detected on the opposite side of earth
-refractions between layers cause 2 shadow zones where no P-waves are detected because P-waves travel faster through solids and slower in liquids
-size and position of the 2 shadow zones indicate that there is a solid inner core