Earthquake Waves

Earthquake, or seismic waves are recorded on a seismogram like the one below.

P waves, or primary waves, are the fastest moving waves and the first to be recorded by a seismograph. As P waves travel through solid rock, they cause particles to move back and forth in the same direction the wave is traveling - much as the wave moves down the slinky below. P waves can travel through solids and liquids, such as water or magma.

S waves, or secondary waves, are seismic waves that arrive after the P waves. They travel slower than the P waves. S waves can travel through solids but not through liquids. These waves cause the rock particles to move up and down, much like the waves shown in the rope below.

If you are on the Internet, you can learn more about earthquakes by going to the Tech Museum of Innovation below, or go to the NEXT page.

  NEXT Graphics courtesy The Tech Museum of Innovation (Used with permission)