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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.

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Why are surface waves the most destructive waves?

Surface waves travel more slowly than body waves but are mor distructive. Most of the damage during an earthquake comes from surface waves which can literally shake the ground out from under a building.


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 are typically more destructive than P waves because they have a greater amplitude and can cause more shaking of the ground. Additionally, S waves are responsible for generating most of the damage associated with earthquakes, such as building collapses and landslides.


Do P waves do the most destruction during and earthquake?

No, P waves are not usually responsible for the most destruction during an earthquake. P waves are fast-moving seismic waves that usually cause less damage compared to the slower and more destructive S waves and surface waves. The shaking and ground displacement caused by these other waves typically result in the most destruction during an earthquake.


What waves are more dangerous in an earthquake?

Generally, long-period surface waves such as Love waves and Rayleigh waves are more dangerous during an earthquake as they cause the most destruction to structures and infrastructure. These waves have the ability to shake the ground horizontally and vertically, leading to significant ground movement and potential building collapse.

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


Which are more destructive body waves or surface waves?

Surface waves are more destructive than body waves as they move along the Earth's surface and cause the most shaking and damage during an earthquake. Body waves, on the other hand, travel through the Earth's interior and are usually less damaging to structures on the surface.


Why are surface waves the most destructive waves?

Surface waves travel more slowly than body waves but are mor distructive. Most of the damage during an earthquake comes from surface waves which can literally shake the ground out from under a building.


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 are typically more destructive than P waves because they have a greater amplitude and can cause more shaking of the ground. Additionally, S waves are responsible for generating most of the damage associated with earthquakes, such as building collapses and landslides.


How are surfuce waves different from body wave?

Surface waves travel along the Earth's surface, causing most of the damage during an earthquake, while body waves travel through the Earth's interior. Surface waves have a larger amplitude and longer period compared to body waves, making them slower but more destructive in terms of shaking at the surface.


Do P waves do the most destruction during and earthquake?

No, P waves are not usually responsible for the most destruction during an earthquake. P waves are fast-moving seismic waves that usually cause less damage compared to the slower and more destructive S waves and surface waves. The shaking and ground displacement caused by these other waves typically result in the most destruction during an earthquake.


How does ground motion produced by a p wave compare to the ground motion produced by surface waves?

The underground motion of a P-wave usually effects the us less than ones near or on the surface.


What waves are more dangerous in an earthquake?

Generally, long-period surface waves such as Love waves and Rayleigh waves are more dangerous during an earthquake as they cause the most destruction to structures and infrastructure. These waves have the ability to shake the ground horizontally and vertically, leading to significant ground movement and potential building collapse.


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.