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Earthquakes are made up of 4 different seismic waves, P, S, L and R. L and R are surface waves, and have virtually nothing to do with the interior. However, P and S are body waves and do.

P waves are compressional waves, that is they push and pull against rock in the same direction as the waves move. They are the fastest. S waves vibrate material up and down. Both travel faster in more dense material, and P waves travel slower in liquid while S waves are unable to move through liquid at all.

As the Earth's outer core is liquid, and inner core is very dense, this affects the waves as they travel through the Earth. It speeds them up and slows them down according to the density. Because S can't go through the outer core, there is a "shadow zone" at a certain area on the Earth where there are no S waves at all. P waves also have a smaller shadow zone, where the waves are diflected and bent within the outer core.

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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 does the shadow zone tell scientists about Earths interior?

The shadow zone is an area on Earth's surface where no seismic waves are detected after an earthquake. This helps scientists understand the Earth's interior structure, as the absence of seismic waves in this zone indicates the presence of a liquid outer core that blocks the transmission of certain seismic waves.


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

body waves


Is this question true or false to study earths interior geologists often rely on indirect methods such as evidence from fossils?

False. Geologists do not rely on evidence from fossils to study Earth's interior. Instead, they use seismic waves, drilling samples, and other direct methods to gather information about the Earth's interior, such as its composition and structure. Fossils are used by paleontologists to study ancient life forms and environments, not the Earth's interior.


Which model of earths interior does this image show?

The image likely shows the layered model of Earth's interior, consisting of the crust, mantle, outer core, and inner core. This model is based on seismic data and helps in understanding the composition and structure of our planet.

Related Questions

How does the structure of earths interior affect the wave speed and direction of seismic waves?

deflect


How do scientists know about the structure of the earth's interior?

Because of the study of seismic waves from earthquakes


What is the seismic wave that travel's through the earths interior?

A body wave is a seismic wave that travels through Earths interior.


What is a seismic wave that travels through Earth Interior?

A body wave is a seismic wave that travels through Earths interior.


How do you obtain indirect evidence about earths interior?

Seismic waves


The seismic waves that travel through Earths interior are waves?

body waves


The seismic waves that travel through Earths interior are waves.?

body waves


In developing a model of earths deep interior most of the evidence was determined from?

Seismic data


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 geologists learn about the layered structure of earths deep interior?

From seismic interpretations of earthquake date. From computer modeling. From the study of meteorites, From geochemistry and form the study of mantle xenoliths.


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.


What does the shadow zone tell scientists about Earths interior?

The shadow zone is an area on Earth's surface where no seismic waves are detected after an earthquake. This helps scientists understand the Earth's interior structure, as the absence of seismic waves in this zone indicates the presence of a liquid outer core that blocks the transmission of certain seismic waves.