Summary:
- Seismic waves are the energy from earthquakes.
- Each type of seismic wave travels at different speeds in different materials.
- All seismic waves travel through rock, but not all travel through liquid or gas.
- Geologists study seismic waves to learn about earthquakes and the Earth’s interior.
- Surface waves are responsible for the rolling motions that do most of the damage in an earthquake.
- Love waves move side-to-side, much like a snake.
- Rayleigh waves produce a rolling motion as they move up and backward.