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Love and Rayleigh waves are also known as surface waves as they travel along the surface of the earth.

As the earth's surface is a free boundary, these surface waves have a larger amplitude than P and S (or body waves)which travel through the earth's interior.

The amplitude of a wave is related to the amount of energy it has, where high amplitude waves have more energy! This means that the high amplitude high energy surface waves are capable of transferring more energy into structures or other objects on the surface and so can do more damage.

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1d ago

Love waves and Rayleigh waves are characterized by their horizontal motion near the Earth's surface, causing buildings and structures to shake more vigorously. This motion results in greater damage to infrastructure compared to P-waves and S-waves, which have more vertical motion and lower amplitudes. Additionally, Love waves and Rayleigh waves have longer periods, allowing them to cause prolonged shaking, further increasing the potential for damage.

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Q: Why are Love waves and Rayleigh waves more destructive than P-waves and S-waves?
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Which earthquake waves are most destructive to buildings?

technically any seismic wave can destroy a building, but the one most likely to do it are the surface waves


Which seismic waves are the most destructive overall?

The Surface waves (of which there are two - the Love and Rayleigh waves) are the most destructive seismic waves as they have the largest amplitude.Surface waves cause the most damage as they have the largest amplitude of all the seismic waves.S Wave.yhuk


What are the three types of waves caused by an earthquake?

P-waves and S-waves. P waves are known as Primary waves as they have a high velocity and so are recorded at seismometer stations before Secondary or S-waves. P waves may also be known as pressure waves as they are in fact compression or longitudinal waves. S-waves may also be known as shear waves as they are transverse waves.


Why are surface waves more destructive to buildings than p waves are so s waves are?

Although surface waves travel more slowly than S-waves, they can be much larger in amplitude and can be the most destructive type of seismic wave. There are two basic kinds of surface waves: Rayleigh waves, also called ground roll, travel as ripples similar to those on the surface of water.


Most destructive waves in the ocean?

Tsunamis are the most destructive waves in the ocean, typically caused by underwater earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or landslides. Their long wavelengths and high speeds make them capable of causing widespread devastation when they reach coastlines.

Related questions

Which earthquake waves are most destructive to buildings?

technically any seismic wave can destroy a building, but the one most likely to do it are the surface waves


The most destructive seismic wave are .?

The Surface waves (of which there are two - the Love and Rayleigh waves) are the most destructive seismic waves as they have the largest amplitude.Surface waves cause the most damage as they have the largest amplitude of all the seismic waves.S Wave.yhuk


Which type of earthquakes waves move the slowest?

The surface waves (composed in turn of the Rayleigh and Love waves) are the slowest seismic waves.


What is stronger love waves or Rayleigh waves?

rayleigh -8 letters :-)


Which seismic waves are the most destructive overall?

The Surface waves (of which there are two - the Love and Rayleigh waves) are the most destructive seismic waves as they have the largest amplitude.Surface waves cause the most damage as they have the largest amplitude of all the seismic waves.S Wave.yhuk


Most destructive waves in the ocean?

Tsunamis are the most destructive waves in the ocean, typically caused by underwater earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or landslides. Their long wavelengths and high speeds make them capable of causing widespread devastation when they reach coastlines.


What are the three types of waves caused by an earthquake?

P-waves and S-waves. P waves are known as Primary waves as they have a high velocity and so are recorded at seismometer stations before Secondary or S-waves. P waves may also be known as pressure waves as they are in fact compression or longitudinal waves. S-waves may also be known as shear waves as they are transverse waves.


Why are surface waves more destructive to buildings than p waves are so s waves are?

Although surface waves travel more slowly than S-waves, they can be much larger in amplitude and can be the most destructive type of seismic wave. There are two basic kinds of surface waves: Rayleigh waves, also called ground roll, travel as ripples similar to those on the surface of water.


What 2 waves are surface waves?

Love waves and Rayleigh waves are surface waves


What are the two descriptive words for P in P Waves and the S in Swaves?

For P waves, the two descriptive words are Primary (or compressional) waves, while for S waves, the two words are Secondary (or shear) waves.


What is rayleigh scattering?

Rayleigh scattering is the scattering of light by particles in the atmosphere that are much smaller than the wavelength of the light. This scattering is responsible for the blue color of the sky during the day and the red and orange hues of sunrise and sunset. The shorter wavelengths of light, such as blue and violet, are scattered more easily by the particles in the atmosphere, leading to the sky's blue appearance.


What is the definition of Pwaves?

A Pwave is the first wave to arrive during an earthquake, P waves compress and then expand. They can damage buildings.