answersLogoWhite

0

Seismic waves have helped scientists learn the various densities of the Earth's many layers because the speed of primary shock waves moving through the earth generally increases with depth. This is because as density increases, seismic wave velocity increases. While P-waves travel through the Earth's crust at an average of about four miles (6.4 km) per second, they reach an average of seven miles (11.3 km) per second at the center of the Earth. When the shock waves suddenly shift in direction and speed, scientists are able to determine the depths at which Earth's various layers are located.

Three different types of waves travel away from the focus of a seismic event. These waves travel at different speeds. In addition to surface waves, the waves that are proving critical to providing evidence about the interior of the Earth are 'P' waves (P standing for primary or pressure), and 'S' waves (S for secondary or shear). P-waves are faster than S-waves.

P-waves can travel through solid rock and fluids, and their speed will vary depending on the density of the rock through which they travel; increased speed will indicate increased density, thus providing information about the density and possible mineralogy of Earth's various layers.

S-waves cannot travel through fluids, thus when an S-wave encounters the outer core of the Earth (liquid iron and nickel), it is disrupted, indicating the boundary between the mantle and outer core and the boundary between the inner core and outer core. The effect observed from the motion of S-waves reveals a 'shadow zone', opposite to where they originate.

User Avatar

Wiki User

16y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about Earth Science

How did scientists learn about earths interior?

Scientists have studied seismic waves produced by earthquakes to learn about Earth's interior. These waves travel through the Earth at different speeds and can reveal information about the composition and structure of the planet's layers. By analyzing how seismic waves behave as they move through the Earth, scientists have been able to create models of the Earth's interior.


How do seismic waves provide valuable scientific data?

Seismic waves can reveal information about Earth's interior structure by traveling at different speeds and being reflected and refracted by different layers of rock. By studying how seismic waves travel through the Earth, scientists can determine the composition, density, and temperature of various layers and help understand processes like earthquake formation and plate tectonics. This data is crucial for understanding Earth's dynamic processes and for assessing geological hazards.


What is a seismic wave that travels through the earths interior?

body waves


What is the main thing scientists observe in order to learn about the earth's makeup of the earth's interior?

Scientists observe seismic waves generated by earthquakes to study the Earth's interior. By analyzing how these waves travel through the Earth and how they are reflected and refracted, scientists can infer information about the composition, density, and structure of the Earth's layers.


How do scientists use seismic waves to study the interior of the earth?

Scientists use seismic waves to study the interior of the Earth by monitoring the speed and direction of the waves as they travel through different materials. The waves' behavior helps scientists infer the composition, density, and structure of the Earth's interior. By studying seismic waves from earthquakes, researchers can create detailed images of the Earth's layers and understand its geologic processes.

Related Questions

What other information do scientists look to seismic waves for?

Scientists look to the seismic waves to reveal the Earth's interior.


How did scientists learn about earths interior?

Scientists have studied seismic waves produced by earthquakes to learn about Earth's interior. These waves travel through the Earth at different speeds and can reveal information about the composition and structure of the planet's layers. By analyzing how seismic waves behave as they move through the Earth, scientists have been able to create models of the Earth's interior.


What is the origin of seismic waves and where do seismic waves come from?

Seismic waves are generated by the sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust, typically from earthquakes or volcanic activity. These waves travel through the Earth, carrying information about the Earth's interior and helping scientists study its structure.


What is the benefit of studying measuring seismic waves?

Mapping the Earth's internal structure.


How do seismic waves provide valuable scientific data?

Seismic waves can reveal information about Earth's interior structure by traveling at different speeds and being reflected and refracted by different layers of rock. By studying how seismic waves travel through the Earth, scientists can determine the composition, density, and temperature of various layers and help understand processes like earthquake formation and plate tectonics. This data is crucial for understanding Earth's dynamic processes and for assessing geological hazards.


What is a seisemic wave?

Geologists record the seisemic waves and study how they travel through Earth. different types of waves behave differently. The speed of the waves and the paths they take reveal the structure of the planet. That's all I know................................


What does seismic?

(not seismic, seismic wave)Seismic waves are waves of energy that travel through the earth.


Explain how scientists use seismic waves to map the earth's interior?

scientists use seismic waves to map earths interior by seismographs that measure the times at witch seismic waves arrive at different distances from an earth quake.


How are earthquakers used to explore the inner structure of the Earth?

Earthquakes create seismic waves that travel through the Earth. By studying how these seismic waves travel and are recorded on seismographs, scientists can infer information about the Earth's internal structure, such as the composition of different layers and the presence of boundaries between them. By analyzing the behavior of seismic waves during earthquakes, scientists can map out the Earth's interior and learn more about its composition and properties.


How do seismic waves move through earth?

How do scientists use seismic waves to study the Earth


What is a seismic wave that travels through the earths interior?

body waves


What is siesmic?

Seismic refers to activities or phenomena related to earthquakes and the propagation of waves through the Earth caused by sudden movements within the Earth's crust. It includes studies of earthquakes, seismic waves, and the behavior of Earth's structure in response to these vibrations.