Question

which of the following seismic waves travels at relatively moderate speeds and arrives second at a location?
p - wave
rayleigh (r) wave
s - wave
love (l) wave

Explanation:

• P - waves: These are primary waves. They are the fastest seismic waves and arrive first at a location. They can travel through solids, liquids, and gases.
• Rayleigh (R) waves and Love (L) waves: These are surface waves. Rayleigh waves cause the ground to move in an elliptical motion, and Love waves cause the ground to move side - to - side. Surface waves are slower than body waves (P and S waves) and arrive after S waves.
• S - waves: These are secondary waves. They are slower than P - waves (so they arrive second among the body waves). S - waves can only travel through solids.

Answer:

S - wave