Tips for Picking P, S, and Surface Waves 1) Seismic Wave Overview The fastest waves, and therefore the first to arrive at a given location are P waves or compressional waves. Like sound waves, they move by alternately compressing and expanding material in the direction they are traveling. The next large arrival is the S wave. It travels through the earth moving material up and down and side to side perpendicular to the direction of motion. The last to arrive are Surface waves, which travel slower than P and S waves and move the ground like a rolling ocean wave (Rayleigh) or side to side like a S wave (Love). For animations of seismic wave motions go to: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/4kids/4grownups/4grownups_seis.html Rayleigh wave 2) Tips for Picking Seismic Waves P wave is the first arrival S wave is the next large arrival If the event is large and distant you will also record Surface waves Love wave P S S P Surface
Overview about seismic waves and their properties. P-wave and S-wave
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Tips for Picking P, S, and Surface Waves
1) Seismic Wave Overview
The fastest waves, and therefore the first to arrive at a given
location are P waves or compressional waves. Like sound waves, they
move by alternately compressing and expanding material in the
direction they are traveling.
The next large arrival is the S wave. It travels through the
earth moving material up and down and side to side perpendicular to
the direction of motion.
The last to arrive are Surface waves, which travel slower than P
and S waves and move the ground like a rolling ocean wave
(Rayleigh) or side to side like a S wave (Love).
For animations of seismic wave motions go to:
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/4kids/4grownups/4grownups_seis.html
Rayleigh wave
2) Tips for Picking Seismic Waves
P wave is the first arrival
S wave is the next large arrival
If the event is large and distant you will also record Surface
waves
