Seismic waves

Question 1

What are P-waves?

Answer 1

These can travel through the solid and liquid parts of the Earth. They travel very fast. The vibrations take place in the same direction that the wave is moving in. This makes them an example of a longitudinal wave.

Question 2

What are S-waves?

Answer 2

These still travel very fast but are slower than P-waves. They are only able to travel through solid parts of the Earth; they cannot travel through any liquid regions. The vibrations in S-waves are at right angles to the direction the wave is moving in. This makes them an example of transverse waves.