Science Olympiad Dynamic Planet Practice Test

Which type of seismic wave travels along the surface of the Earth?

1. P wave

2. S wave

3. Surface wave

4. Body wave

The correct answer is: Surface wave

Surface waves are a type of seismic wave that travel along the Earth's surface, similar to how ripples move across the surface of a pond. They are generally slower than both P waves and S waves, but they can produce significant shaking and damage during an earthquake due to their motion and the way they interact with structures. Surface waves are often the last waves to arrive at a seismic recording station, but they are typically the most destructive. In contrast, P waves (primary waves) and S waves (secondary waves) are types of body waves that travel through the Earth's interior. P waves are compressional waves that move in the same direction as the wave, while S waves are shear waves that move perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation. Body waves generally travel faster than surface waves, which is why they are detected first by seismographs during an earthquake.