How do waves in an earthquake get their names?

Answer 1

The word earthquake is another word for earth shake. The definition of quake means to shake or tremble and during an earthquake the area is continuously shaking until the earthquake has ended. Therefore, scientists believed that earthquake was the perfect name.

Answer 2

Wave phases use a naming convention based on their travel paths. Basic symbols: P : longitudinal wave in the mantle S : transverse wave in the mantle c : reflection off the outer core

K : longitudinal wave in the outer core

I: wave in the inner core i: reflection off the inner core Numbers: inside the phase name : repeat the next symbol N times (ex: P3KP = PKKKP) outside the phase name : repeat all symbols N times (ex: PKP2 = PKPPKP)

note that 'reflected' symbols are only necassary when a wave bounces off a discontinuity at the bottom of the layer it is currently in (so 'PP' reflects off the surface, but KK and PcP both reflect off the mantle/outer core (Gutenburg) discontinuity). If two phases from the same layer ('PP', 'PS'/'SP' 'KK') occur in order, reflection from the 'top' of the layer is assumed.

Examples: P: longitudinal wave through the mantle PP: longitudinal wave that traveled through the mantle and reflected off the surface as another longitudinal wave through the mantle PS: longitudinal wave that traveled through the mantle and reflected off the surface as transverse wave. PcP: longitudinal wave that traveled through the mantle and reflected off the outer core as a longitudinal wave. PKP : Longitudinal wave that traveled through the mantle, refracted into and traveled through the outer core, and refracted into and traveled through the mantle as a longitudinal wave. SKiKP : Transverse wave that traveled through the mantle, refracted into and traveled through the outer core, bounced off the inner core once, and refracted back into the mantle as a longitudinal wave.

Other designations exist, but this should cover the basics.

Answer 3

Waves in an earthquake are named based on their movement and speed. Primary waves (P-waves) are the fastest seismic waves and are the first to reach seismographs. Secondary waves (S-waves) follow P-waves and move at a slower speed. Surface waves occur on the Earth's surface and are responsible for the most damage during an earthquake.

Answer 4

scientists come up with random names.

... they go along by the alphabet until Z then they start over.

Answer 5

Earthwuakes don't have names. Only hurricanes do.

Answer 6

well i guess earthwaves

Answer 7

seismic waves

Answer 8

Earthquake waves only Travel On earths surface