Waves in the Interior of the Earth

In an earthquake, when there is trembling there are waves that is present too.

Waves inside the Earth's crust are called Body Waves. These are the waves that travels within the earth’s interior that is exerted by an earthquake.

There are three types of body waves, those are;

• P - waves

• S - waves

• Surface waves

P - waves are also called compression waves. It can pass through solid and molten rock. It propagates parallel to the direction in which the wave is moving, there is a compression that is happening within the waves. The waves travel back and forth, push - pull wave. It is the fastest wave and causes little damage only.

S - waves can also be called shear waves. It can pass through solid rock only. It propagates in a perpendicular motion to the direction in which the wave is moving. The waves travel vertically and horizontally. It travels slower than P - waves and causes greater damage than p - waves.

Surface waves is the most complex motion because the movement of waves is up and down and side to side. It is the slowest among the waves and the most destructive among waves.

Parts of a wave

• Amplitude - height of the wave.

• Crest - highest point of the wave

• Trough - lowest point of the wave

• Wave length - distance between the wave (e.g. crest to crest and trough to trough).

• Frequency (Hz) - number of cycle

What instruments are used for body waves?

Seismometers and seismographs are used by seismologists, experts in studying earthquake, to detect and record earthquakes.

Reference/s;

How it works team. (2012). How do P and S-waves move. https://www.howitworksdaily.com/how-do-p-and-s-waves-move/