Seismic waves based on medium, dimension and energy transfer
There are three main types of seismic waves based on the medium through which they travel, their dimension of movement, and their means of energy transfer:
1. Body waves: These are seismic waves that travel through the Earth's interior. There are two types of body waves: P-waves (primary waves) and S-waves (secondary waves). P-waves are compressional waves that travel through solids, liquids, and gases by compressing and expanding the material they pass through. S-waves are shear waves that travel only through solids by shaking particles perpendicular to the direction of wave travel.
2. Surface waves: These are seismic waves that travel along the Earth's surface. There are two types of surface waves: Love waves and Rayleigh waves. Love waves involve horizontal shearing motion, while Rayleigh waves involve elliptical, rolling motion. Surface waves tend to cause the most damage during earthquakes because they have larger amplitudes and longer periods compared to body waves.
3. Energy transfer: Seismic waves transfer energy through the Earth in two main ways: by causing particles in the material they pass through to move back and forth or up and down, and by causing the material to deform and release stored energy as heat. This energy transfer can cause ground shaking and damage during earthquakes, as well as provide valuable information about the Earth's interior structure through seismology studies.