Seismic Waves

Seismic Waves

Seismic waves are vibrations that move through the Earth when energy is released during an earthquake. These waves travel in different ways, and scientists use them to study earthquakes and the structure of the Earth. There are two main types of seismic waves: body waves and surfac...

Seismic waves are the energy released by earthquakes, radiating outward in all directions from their source.

As seismic waves travel through Earth's layers, they change speed and direction. At boundaries like the crust-mantle interface, they can refract or reflect. Their speed increases in solid, dense materials and decreases in liquid or ...