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S-waves move side to side, not up and down (P-waves). Buildings can go up and down without a problem, not side to side.

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Q: Why are s waves more destructive than P waves?
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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.


Which waves are more destructive p waves or s waves?

s waves I think because they move from side to side and they knock over buildings.


Why are surface waves more destructive to building than p waves or s waves are?

Surface waves stem from body waves(P and S waves) that reach the surface. Because of their low frequency, long duration, and large amplitude, the Surface waves can be the most destructive type of seismic wave.


Why are Love waves and Rayleigh waves more destructive than P-waves and S-waves?

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.


Do P waves do the most destruction during and earthquake?

No, the S waves do, they are the most destructive, because they have a bigger ratio of Antinodes and nodes. AKA Destructive interference.

Related questions

Why are surface waves more destructive to building than p waves or s waves?

they are more destructive because they are on the suface and because they are slower


Why are surface waves more destructive to building s than P waves or S waves are?

they are more destructive because they are on the suface and because they are slower


Why are surface waves more destructive to building p waves or s waves?

Because surface waves have a larger amplitude and thus more energy and so can cause more damage than P and S waves. they are more destructive because they are on the suface and because they are slowerRate This Answer


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.


Which waves are more destructive p waves or s waves?

s waves I think because they move from side to side and they knock over buildings.


Why are surface waves more destructive to building than p waves or s waves are?

Surface waves stem from body waves(P and S waves) that reach the surface. Because of their low frequency, long duration, and large amplitude, the Surface waves can be the most destructive type of seismic wave.


Why are Love waves and Rayleigh waves more destructive than P-waves and S-waves?

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.


Do P waves do the most destruction during and earthquake?

No, the S waves do, they are the most destructive, because they have a bigger ratio of Antinodes and nodes. AKA Destructive interference.


Compared to P waves and S waves do surface waves move slower or faster?

Surface waves move slower. P waves are the fastest. Surface waves are the slowest. they are slowest but most destructive.


Is it true that surface waves move more quickly than p waves and s waves?

no, p waves are the fastest followed by s waves and finally surface waves


Is it true that surface waves move more quickly than p and s waves?

no, p waves are the fastest followed by s waves and finally surface waves


What happens to the distance between P waves and S waves as you travel farther away from the epicenter?

It is because the epicenter decreases their strenght as it is closer to it