Types of Seismic Waves Body waves can travel through the Earth’s inner layers, but surface waves can only move along the surface of the planet like ripples on water. Earthquakes send out seismic energy as both body and surface waves. The body waves (P and S) and surface waves recorded by a seismometer.

What are the 4 types of earthquake waves?

• P-wave Motion. P-wave:the primary body wave; the first seismic wave detected by seismographs; able to move through both liquid and solid rock. …
• S-wave Motion. …
• Rayleigh-wave Motion. …
• Love-wave Motion.

What is an example of a surface wave?

In physics, a surface wave is a mechanical wave that propagates along the interface between differing media. A common example is gravity waves along the surface of liquids, such as ocean waves. … Elastic surface waves can travel along the surface of solids, such as Rayleigh or Love waves.