Question

how are s waves and surface waves similar?
both arrive after p waves.
both compress the ground.
both travel through liquids.
both produce minimal ground motion.

Explanation:

• P - waves: P - waves are the fastest seismic waves. They are compressional waves (like sound waves) and can travel through solids, liquids, and gases.
• S - waves: S - waves are shear waves. They are slower than P - waves. S - waves can only travel through solids.
• Surface waves: Surface waves are the slowest seismic waves. They are generated when P and S waves reach the Earth's surface.

Since P - waves are the fastest, both S - waves (which are body waves but slower than P - waves) and surface waves (which are even slower than S - waves) will arrive after P - waves.

• S - waves are shear waves (they move particles perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation) and surface waves have complex motion (e.g., Love waves move particles side - to - side and Rayleigh waves have a rolling motion). They do not compress the ground like P - waves.
• S - waves cannot travel through liquids.
• Surface waves can cause significant ground motion (e.g., large - amplitude shaking), and S - waves also cause noticeable ground motion (although not as much as some surface waves in some cases, but definitely not minimal).

Answer:

Both arrive after P waves.